I've been listening to Bob Geldof on Radio 4 in 'Meeting Myself Coming Back' . The format was to walk him back through his life, via the BBC archives. It was a hugely moving piece.
I was struck again by what a unique man he is and the programme has made a huge impression on me. I have listened to it many times since and it pins me to the target every time. I offer up Bob for readers of Multiple Mum
Above all, his honesty is vast. He never excuses, or apologises for himself. He says what he means immediately, regardless of occasion and he supports himself to do that. Even when listening to himself as a young man, he respects and agrees with his younger self, not once berating him for naivety, arrogance or for being misguided.
He absolutely stands four-square behind the person that he was then, giving him support and encouragement and giving weight and value to those young words. The wisdom of his age has not eradicated the wisdom of his youth.
To me, it seems absolutely clear, that even as a very young man, Bob Geldof knew who he was. He spoke with clarity and conviction; felt the need to please no-one, to conform to nothing but himself.
He was never held back by role or etiquette and is never intimidated by power or protocol. He absolutely uses his right as a free thinker, as a citizen of the world, to both stand up and be counted, and to bring others to account.
I so envy him his memories. Not his memories of Live Aid or punk stardom , but his memories of living as a man who is at home with himself; someone who is not afraid to be whole in public. I envy that.
He also described the vastness of grief, it's limitless form. He talked of a destruction so complete that it ran like liquid horror through his veins. He would cry in his sleep and know this because he was still weeping when he woke.
And yet, like everything else he says, there seems to be not a trace of self pity or blame. It was told because he was asked and that was the answer; it was how things had been.
And I am quite proud of a young Pam, who saw such a lot to admire in the young Bob. She knew quality when she saw it and could have done much worse than to use him as a role model.
If only she had.
I was struck again by what a unique man he is and the programme has made a huge impression on me. I have listened to it many times since and it pins me to the target every time. I offer up Bob for readers of Multiple Mum
He absolutely stands four-square behind the person that he was then, giving him support and encouragement and giving weight and value to those young words. The wisdom of his age has not eradicated the wisdom of his youth.
To me, it seems absolutely clear, that even as a very young man, Bob Geldof knew who he was. He spoke with clarity and conviction; felt the need to please no-one, to conform to nothing but himself.
He was never held back by role or etiquette and is never intimidated by power or protocol. He absolutely uses his right as a free thinker, as a citizen of the world, to both stand up and be counted, and to bring others to account.
I so envy him his memories. Not his memories of Live Aid or punk stardom , but his memories of living as a man who is at home with himself; someone who is not afraid to be whole in public. I envy that.
He also described the vastness of grief, it's limitless form. He talked of a destruction so complete that it ran like liquid horror through his veins. He would cry in his sleep and know this because he was still weeping when he woke.
And yet, like everything else he says, there seems to be not a trace of self pity or blame. It was told because he was asked and that was the answer; it was how things had been.
And I am quite proud of a young Pam, who saw such a lot to admire in the young Bob. She knew quality when she saw it and could have done much worse than to use him as a role model.
If only she had.
Great post. I've never thought that much about Sir Bob - he was the Live Aid guy etc etc - until I saw him in the midst of the Yates/Hutchence tragedy. He was a pillar of dignity. I can only hope his girls recognise the effort it must have cost him.
ReplyDeleteVisiting from the REwind.
Me too!
ReplyDeleteMany thanks Allison and welcome to PP Goes Large! Having discovered that you are the very popular Pink Fibro-er that I keep reading about, I am really looking forward to visiting your blog and catching up with it soon.
Sir Bob does rock. Funnily I don't really know him for his music, only his humanitarian efforts (and being a Dad to all those funny named children!). Thanks for the insights. I must seek out a song on Youtube. What would you recommend?? Thanks for Rewinding x
ReplyDeleteI have a lot of respect indeed for Sir Bob.
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