Introduction

I’ve never been much of a reader, but in recent months, with time on my hands, I found myself wandering into the local library. The shelves seemed endless, filled with books of every kind. Eventually, I drifted toward the autobiographies. I’d never read one before, but I thought, why not? They’re real stories, after all, and there’s always something to learn from a life lived. I picked up a book about someone I admired and was surprised at how much it drew me in. Chapter after chapter, I couldn’t put it down. That book lit a spark in me. Yet I noticed something: all the autobiographies were written by celebrities, people whose names were already known to the world. It made me wonder — would anyone be interested in the life of an ordinary man? Now, as I write this in May 2024, at the age of 85 (though I often feel closer to 65), I’ve come to realise that every life carries its share of stories worth telling. Mine is no different. This book isn’t about fame or fortune; it’s about the paths I’ve walked, the people I’ve met, the lessons I’ve learned, and the mistakes I’ve made along the way. So here it is: my journey. You may find it ordinary, or perhaps you’ll find echoes of your own story within mine. Either way, I hope it gives you something — a smile, a memory, a moment of thought. Let’s begin.