Bob Marley

I have always been a fan of Bob Marley.
I remember in sixth form that I wanted so much to go see him in Glasgow on the Uprising tour. But I was only 17 and nobody at school was a fan and my parents wouldn't let me go alone and so I missed what was his last ever tour.
I was the lyrics that caught me. Reggae was fine but it was the poetry of words to a teen that grabbed me. He sang

There she goes with the pieces from my heart
There she goes and now my teardrops start

And around me others were listening to "I want to boogie on down" or "Everybody was Kung Foo fighting"
I couldn't find the artistry in disco music, never could then, still can't now.

I used to have his albums on vinyl, but for some reason I never bought them when the change to CD came about. I think I may change that with the itunes revolution.

I was directed to some of his quotes yesterday, by my father of all people. We were working in the garden and I was talking about how having Kieran around keeps me up to date with music. He remembered the Bob Marley that used to come from my room. "I didn't like it at first" he said, "But you can't help but have it grow on you" Then he mentioned a book he had from the library a few years ago of quotes and writing by famous people. He thought Bob Marleys quotes were by far the best. Grounded, simple and with a passion for the easiest of things to attain and the hardest of things to hold on to.

It got me on the internet, so here is a memory of Bob Marley and some of the things he said that are simple. are true, and are so hard to hold.

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Only once in your life, I truly believe, you find someone who can completely turn your world around.
You tell them things that you’ve never shared with another soul and they absorb everything you say and actually want to hear more.
You share hopes for the future, dreams that will never come true, goals that were never achieved and the many disappointments life has thrown at you. When something wonderful happens, you can’t wait to tell them about it, knowing they will share in your excitement. They are not embarrassed to cry with you when you are hurting or laugh with you when you make a fool of yourself.
Never do they hurt your feelings or make you feel like you are not good enough, but rather they build you up and show you the things about yourself that make you special and even beautiful. There is never any pressure, jealousy or competition but only a quiet calmness when they are around. You can be yourself and not worry about what they will think of you because they love you for who you are. The things that seem insignificant to most people such as a note, song or walk become invaluable treasures kept safe in your heart to cherish forever. Memories of your childhood come back and are so clear and vivid it’s like being young again. Colours seem brighter and more brilliant. Laughter seems part of daily life where before it was infrequent or didn’t exist at all.
A phone call or two during the day helps to get you through a long day’s work and always brings a smile to your face.
In their presence, there’s no need for continuous conversation, but you find you’re quite content in just having them nearby. Things that never interested you before become fascinating because you know they are important to this person who is so special to you. You think of this person on every occasion and in everything you do. Simple things bring them to mind like a pale blue sky, gentle wind or even a storm cloud on the horizon.
You open your heart knowing that there’s a chance it may be broken one day and in opening your heart, you experience a love and joy that you never dreamed possible. You find that being vulnerable is the only way to allow your heart to feel true pleasure that’s so real it scares you. You find strength in knowing you have a true friend and possibly a soul mate who will remain loyal to the end.
Life seems completely different, exciting and worthwhile. Your only hope and security is in knowing that they are a part of your life.”

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“You may not be her first, her last, or her only. She loved before she may love again. But if she loves you now, what else matters?
She's not perfect - you aren't either, and the two of you may never be perfect together but if she can make you laugh, cause you to think twice, and admit to being human and making mistakes, hold onto her and give her the most you can.
She may not be thinking about you every second of the day, but she will give you a part of her that she knows you can break - her heart. So don't hurt her, don't change her, don't analyze and don't expect more than she can give.
Smile when she makes you happy, let her know when she makes you mad, and miss her when she's not there.”

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"The good times of today are the sad thoughts of tomorrow"