Steve Palmer's blog about his son Stanley - who has Down's Syndrome - & the extended family.

Friday 15 March 2013

Stan's lyrics

I was torn when considering what quote to put at the top of this blog, to sum up how I feel about Stan. I do like to think that certain song lyrics attach themselves to us quite usefully, so that those lyric-writers who've created such great lyrics have also summed up how I feel in a handy quote. Here they are; I'll add more when they spring to mind......  


“Oh this boy, he's got a heart of gold
and gold's the most precious thing,
you could ever hold and
if his heart is made of that, what we will
be told, just give him love, an everlasting love.
Give him love”
Ben Watt / Some things don't Matter / North Marine Drive / 1983


"You shut your mouth 
How can you say 
I go about things the wrong way? 
I am human and I need to be loved 
Just like everybody else does" 
The Smiths / How soon is now / Hatful of Hollow / 1984

"Let's go crash that party down in Normal Town tonight." 
B52s / Deadbeat Club / Cosmic Thing / 1990

"Sometimes you look so small, need some shelter
Just running round and round, helter skelter
And I've leaned on me for years
Now you can lean on me
And that's more than love, that's the way it should be
Now I can't change the way you feel
But I can put my arms around you
That's just part of the deal
That's the way I feel
I'll put my arms around you."

Massive Attack / Tracey Thorn / Protection / Protection / 1994

"No more crying
Feel alright now 
Lord, I thank you 
I'm gonna put it on."
Bob Marley and the Wailers / Burnin' / 1973

"Lucky there's a family guy. Lucky there's a man who, positively can do, all the things that make us laugh and cry."
Family Guy / 1990's

"And years make everything alright. You fall on me for anything you like; and I, no I don't mind." 
Keane / This is the last time / Hopes and Fears / 2004

"May you never lay your head down without a hand to hold 
May you never make your bed out in the cold."
John Martyn / Solid Air / 1973

"Sharing horizons that are new to us,
Watching the signs along the way,
Talking it over just the two of us,
Working together day to day
Together.
And when the evening comes we smile,
So much of life ahead
We'll find a place where there's room to grow,
And yes, we've just begun."
The Carpenters / We've Only Just Begun / Close to You / 1970

"I'm losing sleep; I'm losing dignity." 
Edwyn Collins / Losing Sleep / Losing Sleep / 2010 
(That one's ironic)

And one for this brother, played when he was born

"Stir it up, little darling"
Bob Marley and the Wailers / Stir it up / Catch a Fire / 1973

Wednesday 13 March 2013

Scouting about



Stan's now a fully-fledged scout and I've got sore fingers from sewing on his badges. But, oh so proud. Earlier in the week, just as he was going for his bi-yearly heart check, I got an email talking about the upcoming investiture. Stan's name was on a list of those chosen to perform the Scout's Honour. It was a great moment to tell his cardiac consultant about.

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