For Auld Lang Syne: Letters from Scotland

By Rory Grant

A collection of short stories spanning two continents which document the triumphs and tribulations of one man's search for truth during a capricious, unorthodox lifetime.

Spiritually uplifting, humorous and insightful, the tales feature locations as diverse as the deprived slums of Drumchapel, the majestic Scottish Highlands, and the vibrant Australian coast.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rory Grant
• Release date: Jun 22, 2011

Rory Grant

51 year old author, sociologist and musician. If I recall anything else noteworthy I'll be straight back to write more in.

Book preview

FOR AULD LANG SYNE

LETTERS FROM SCOTLAND

by Rory D Grant

Copyright © 2011 Rory D Grant

Smashwords Edition

* * * * *

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

* * * * *

Acknowledgements

This book, a compilation of short stories of love, life and inspiration, could never have seen the light of day without the twin bladed sword of encouragement and chastisement wielded by my wife Tracey. She has my unreserved thanks for both encouraging me (one way or another) into completing it. I’d like to thank my step-children Brenna and Maddy in particular, for being a wellspring of inspiration and in many ways a ‘Raison Detre’ for its completion. This strange man with the strange accent Mum brought over from Scotland, wasn’t kidding when he said he’d ‘finish his book’. It’s five years late but as the adage goes – better late than never.

I’d like to make special mention of my Mum who sadly passed away just two weeks before I finished the manuscript. I love you Mum and if there’s a library in heaven please check this out and feel at least a little proud that I actually did something I said I would do.

Dad, I like to think the sense of humour you possess and handed down is reflected in the words herein.

Mary, our dear friend in California without whom many of these chapters would never have happened – Thank you.

To my wee sisters: Doreen, Elizabeth and Elaine in Scotland – ‘See, I told you I can write.’ xxx

* * * * *

Foreword

These short stories represent differing stages in a capricious life which has been blessed with many highs and cursed by a balancing set of lows. Until recently there was no such thing as stability. Whilst they are only the tip of the iceberg so to speak, my life at times has been so chaotic that events change faster than I can commit them to paper (or these days – word processor). Most revolve around love and life in Scotland, London, and latterly, Australia.

If there are unifying themes throughout, they are triumph over adversity, the Holy Grail of love, emotional security, comfort and acceptance - in a world where people can easily drown in the huge waves of distress which engulf most of us at times. Although there is much anguish to be found here, there is also much hope and I sincerely hope that some of these stories will inspire those of you who find yourself drowning to haul yourself up onto dry land and realise that miracles can and do happen.

The chronological order is loose because each short story is ‘self contained’ and yet discerning readers may spot overlaps, connections with earlier or later stories.

The opening chapter is my earliest recollection which was ‘noteworthy’ and of course little did I know then that Molly’s demise would trigger a lifelong search for truth, justice and love – a search which ended gloriously when I met Tracey.

* * * * *

Table of Contents

1 Poles Apart

The grief I felt at the death of Molly was something which haunted my formative years. In a bid to exorcise it I wrote ‘Poles Apart’ – it would be 45 years later before Tracey finally banished all those woes.

2 Tam The Herd

Tam had always fascinated me. I learned from my experience with Tam that no one should ever be judged by appearances. The grief which lay inside that man could only have been borne by the strongest of men. And yet from the outside, he was so feeble, so fragile.

3 High

A recollection of one of life’s bitter sweet moments though the eyes of a child.

4 The Snowman and the Star of Bethlehem

The very first short story written by me. I was sixteen years old and it’s included here as I’ve never been able to let it go.

5 A State of Mind

An early recollection from my time in the Police Force – and for me one of the most revealing, most moving.

6 Invisible Men

This story was first written a year or two ago. In looking over it again I do so with a heavy heart. I received news here in Australia that Bryce met his end by his own means, his own hands. You’ll never be invisible Bryce, not to those who have eyes to see...

7 While My Guitar Gently Sings

Begging in the streets marked a low point in my life and I fear I would have never made it through those times were it not for the memory that my Grandfather had been in the same position during his lifetime. He later went on to be recognised as one of the finest Violinists in Scotland. That knowledge, and my guitar, kept me sane.

8 Bustin’ into Heaven

Kids! (Or how a hamster learned to fly…)

9 To Whom It May Concern

I was a terrible dreamer at school – and always wondered ‘who she would be?’ – My wife pointed out just before this was going to press that had I been able to see ‘who she was’ by placing an image of me beside an image of her - I’d see a long haired, tough Glasgow teenager in his