010.

I've been lucky in that I've always had wonderful men in my life.  From the time I was born, I've never known anything other than being treated like a star and, as I've grown up, I've appreciated that treatment more and more.  Not everyone gets this in their life, I consider it a blessing and think you should always be thankful for your blessings.  These are the things they've taught me, from the silly to the serious, my life would be less without them.

From my Dad

• The importance of being there as a parent.   If I ever have kids, I've learnt how to be a parent through him.  Love, patience and the importance of saying no.
• How to love music.  From classic rock & roll to blues guitarists to random folk music from around the world, I learnt it via my Dad's record player.
• How to fix a blown fuse.

From my Pa, who died when I was 11

• To love wrestling as a form of entertainment, escape and art.  This is his legacy.  I'll be 80 years old and watching two dudes in spandex battle each other.
• Kindness and generosity.

From Bob, my Dad's oldest friend, who died when I was 20

• The importance of knowledge.  Not being intelligent, but just knowing stuff.  He knew such random things and I vividly remember New Years Eve parties when he would hold court in the front room with many people hooked on his words.

From J, an old musician friend

• That nothing would ever be more important than my self respect.
• The importance of knowing who you are underneath any masks you may wear.

From CT, who will always be family

• That family is not based on blood, but on who is there for you on your darkest days.
• How to hit a beer bottle with stolen golf clubs off the top of a hotel roof without it smashing.
• That sometimes sobriety is the most adult decision you can make for yourself.

From Callum & Ivan, two boys I look after

• To always laugh.

From a drag queen I met in Soho one night

• If you have glitter, eyeliner and fishnets, you can get away with anything.

From Carl, one of the best people I knew when I was 17

• To love Jameson
• That it's not advisable to live on Jameson

From IW, someone I've known since I was 16

• To believe in yourself and your abilities even when the world is battling against you.

From Huey, who was a gentleman to a very drunk teenager many years ago

• Not to lose my sparkle.

From Matt, who was always patient

• That figuring out who I'm not is just as important as figuring out who I am.

From Fabian, my closest friend, who died when he was 17

• To live, not just exist.

There's probably more that I've been taught, and there's so much more for me to learn.  Not just from them, but from everyone around me.  Constant inspiration.  Take time to think about what life has blessed you with and appreciate it.  It may not be there forever.

xo