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OVER THE
COUNTER
BY DAVID ROBERTSON OF JP POZZI, ELGIN AND BUCKIE.
A Life
Well Lived
‘When a world event happens, such as Prince Philip passing away, newspapers are always a fascinating way to pay tribute. The front pages have some fantastic images today - some historic, some noble, some with a nod to a dry sense of humour. What I always find sad is sometimes we learn more about someone at this time than we knew when they were alive. A life well lived…’. This was the comment I posted on social media, along with images of the front covers of newspapers on the day after Prince Philip’s death was announced. It got me thinking about how many of us would see our lives ‘well lived’? Writing this on April 11 (the eve of card shops in England and Wales re-opening), the coverage of the Duke’s death a few days ago has pretty much been wall-to-wall and I have to admit to discovering much more about the man since his death than in his living years. Hearing the story of him being smuggled to safety in an orange box and the issues his parents faced, listening to his love of Scotland forged in his early days just 20 miles from me at Duffus and then his solo travel round the world supporting the WWE has changed my perception of the man. In some respects, we were all probably rather unaware of the true role he played within the Royal family and his impact on Britain as a whole. Perhaps lost in the gaffes and unfortunate comments, the portrait of a man holding his family together comes across clearly, despite all the wealth and privilege. Covid-19 has been a time when many people have reflected on their own life story. Many, (maybe you included), have decided they don’t want to go back to where they were or conversely are even keener to continue along the path they were on. We are all perhaps searching for answers that have been there, but for whatever reason we have chosen to ignore them. Maybe you have decided that your personal circumstances need to change 16
PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE
Above left: The media went into overdrive in its coverage of the death of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh. Above: Just a few of the newspapers that David Robertson organised for his paperboys and girls to deliver the day after Prince Philip’s death.
and that what you thought was important is not anymore. I have friends starting businesses, leaving partners and deciding they don’t want the pressure of earning their own income anymore. I know I have great concerns about some of my staff whose circumstances have changed dramatically over the last year and I also worry about those older people in my life who have struggled with the isolation. Often people speak about ‘finding themselves again’. This phrase for me
means that you really knew your true self, had found the end goal and then you lost it and need to look for it again. I prefer the idea of ‘creating yourself’ with the things you do and your working life. I had the honour of speaking at The Ladder Club a few years ago to an audience made up of many start-up card publishing businesses. I started with a quick resume of my working life from Uni to teacher to the businesses I now have and where that path has taken me. My quick summary was followed by a slide that simply said: ‘SO FU&kING WHAT?……….’ After a little pause I then went on to stress that it was ‘my story’, and what they all needed to do was write their own story. After my speech I spoke to a lot of the audience. Some were further along the road to their dreams than others. Some I suspect, as a result of realising what was involved, were coming to the conclusion that going into card publishing was not for them, but there were definitely a few in that room that I knew would give it a damn good go. In lots of the media coverage on the Duke the phrase ‘he lived a full life’ was repeated. What do we mean when we say we have lived a good life or a full life? Is it based on money earned? Is it based on finding love and a family to