Dommey!

One of the reasons for my return to the UK, is about building bridges. It is clear I will not be living in Britain forever; this is but a stopover while Darrell and I make our final decision, about where our future lies. It is important to grasp this opportunity to reconnect with friends without reservation; this includes engaging with people I haven't seen for many years; Dom is one of those people.

Darrell and I met Dom in 2003, whilst going through yet more testing times in our life. We had much in common and enjoyed the same lifestyle. It became a very close friendship, which ended up with us all living together for a period of time. This was a phase when our business in Salisbury closed, and we both needed somewhere to stay, since we lived above the premises itself; Dom kindly obliged. We remained close for five years, when we finally went our separate ways after a rather acrimonious fall out, something else that regularly happens in my life.

Whilst living in Spain, Dom and I re-established a friendship by the wonders of facebook, chatting often and reliving memories, from what was essentially a positive period in my life. On returning to the UK, I made it a priority to catch up with my old mate, as we did on Thursday. As I grow older I find friendships more important, not only messaging and chatting on social media, but also meeting those who were once an important part of my life, in the flesh. As human beings, one to one contact is important for our wellbeing and we should all make an effort to see our nearest and dearest as often as we can.

Dom really hasn't changed that much and is still the same person he was fifteen years ago, Like both of us, we are slightly older, far more aware of life and filled out in all the right places. Both of us spent a pleasant afternoon on the hottest day of the year, drinking a few pints of Stella at the Giddy Bridge in Southampton.

When you spend time in the company of old friends, it really is amazing what recollections come flooding back; occasions and events that I had thought I had forgotten, when actually it just needed someone like Dom to jog the old grey matter. I had a thoroughly wonderful time. ending up with a tour of Dom's new flat at the grade II listed Wyndham court, right in the heart of the city.

I intend to see many more people while I am here and am glad I can knock another person off my bucket list of friends to see and things to do while I am in Britain. I am sure I will see Dom again, I am only a train journey away after all. Next time he wants to come and see me in Portsmouth, where once again we can talk, remember and discuss just where our lives have taken us; a difficult road, full of twists and turns, which only now, as I approach my fifties becomes important to my future direction. We can only move forwards in life, if we can come to terms with the past and those who played a part in our story. It is necessary to learn from our mistakes but most importantly accept just how far we have come. Without the input of others, our lives would be all the poorer, Dom opened my eyes to new ideas and concepts, he is the wayward brother I never had !

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