Living with Luke 72

No matter what…

As anybody who follows these blogs may know, I love ‘Rocky’, the series of films starring Sylvester Stallone. Even ‘Rocky V’, which although is the weakest of the films – Stallone hates it – it does contain one of the most inspirational speeches that he has ever written. Search it out on YouTube. It’s the speech that Rocky’s trainer, Mickey gives to Rocky in a flashback, and its sad, motivational and beautiful all in the space of a few minutes. 

But ‘no matter what’, is a phrase that is used a few times in the films. And it means, unsurprisingly, whatever happens. It’s a phrase that sprang to mind the other day as I contemplated the advance of time, specifically on my body. 

Next month I’ll be 49. A whole year off from being 50. A third of the way through my life (if you’ve read the blogs or seen the play, you’ll know what that means). But I was wondering this as I sat thinking one morning after exercising. 

How long can I carry on being his Superman? How long can i carry on being his protector, the one who saves him from danger, the one who is always there for him?

“I’m always gonna love you no matter what. No matter what happens. You’re my son and you’re my blood. You’re the best thing in my life…”

But when do I stop or do i ever stop? Or have I already reached the point when I look at him and say, ‘I am no longer your Superman’? 

See, in my mind, I’m still 25. I can still throw myself around, take punishment, get up and go again. My body however has different ideas. Don’t get me wrong, I can still throw myself around, take punishment, get up and go again, but injuries eventually begin to take their toll and age has a crafty way of reminding you that you ain’t as young as springtime no more. 

But there’s something that keeps me going. Something that doesn’t want me to stop, to give in. And no matter what, I’m going to keep going, keep pushing, training, staying strong, just so that I can keep being there for him, and for The Eldest Child, and anybody else that needs me. That’s my ‘motivisation’, it’s what I ‘mentalize’ when I look inward and wonder why I bother carry on doing what I’m doing.

So, just how long can i carry on being his Superman? For as long as he needs me, whether he knows it or not.

And will I always be his Superman? 

Yes…absolutely…cos im always gonna love you…

No matter what…