Preface

Gloria Lauren Earle; although she much rather she was called Lori; since she hated her maternal grandmother whom she was named after. Every time I hit a bad patch in my life, every time I needed a friend, or needed guidance, or just a swift kick in the arse, she was there for me. I treated her pretty badly on several occasions, but for some reason, she was always there when I needed her.

She always knew just what to say when I was confused about things. When I was upset, she would comfort me, help me put things into perspective, and get me back on my feet. Each time I suffered some heartbreak or loss, she was the one to help me get things back together, and stop me from doing anything really stupid.

It was Lori that encouraged me to try new things; she got me involved in sailing; not that I would ever be as good at it as she was, but under her guidance, I soon became reasonably competent, and respected by the other sailors in the club. She got me interested in writing; somehow seeing ability that none of my teachers at High School had noticed.

Of all the women I knew, she was probably the only one who really understood me, and encouraged me to achieve my dreams. There’s a saying; ‘if you love someone, set them free. If they come back, they’re yours; if they don’t they never were.’ Well, I’m still waiting for Lori to come back to me, so maybe she never was mine.

Van Morrison, 1963

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