25 of 50

He was hardcore, army through and through. Guns, helicopters, scout cars.

She was beautiful, long blond hair and frilly dresses.

They were alike in other ways.

It was summer in the late 1970’s and under a kitchen table with a blanket over it, love was blooming.

She’d show him all her different outfits, he’d show her his collection of weapons.

In other rooms in that same house more serious things were happening.

But under the kitchen table, Action Man was about to take Sindy for a ride in his Scout Car.

He figured he could go out the back door, down the steps and up the back garden path. They could have a picnic when they got to the end of the path, on the lawn under the apple trees. Their humans could have orange squash and penguin biscuits.

Ultimately their love would lead to a marriage, but they would be separated when school started again.

In that late 1970’s summer, my Grandad was dying. He was being nursed by my Mum, Grandma and Aunt. My cousin and I were perhaps oblivious to what was going on, we were being indulged and allowed to play. Basically allowed to amuse ourselves, that summer it was all about Action Man for me and Sindy for her. Together their adventures were second to none and only limited by our imaginations. Ultimately Action Man and Sindy married that summer, but that was to be short lived.

To this day we still talk about that summer, we were allowed to ride up and down my Grandma’s front drive on a neighbours pedal go-kart, walk on the golf course, build forts in the woods, and of course play with Sindy and Action Man.

Looking back I think we were being encouraged not to engage with the serious nature of what was going on in my Grandad’s room. I do remember going in to see him one morning and he was surrounded by many different machines and bits of medical paraphernalia. At the time I had no idea what all of these things were, but now with a more adult set of knowledge I could name most of them, and none of them are particularly good news if you’re hooked up to them.

Of course the overriding memories of that time are of fun. I think being allowed to have those good memories of a time that was pretty miserable for the adults is a sign of good parenting. We weren’t (as far as I can remember) lied to about what was going on and ultimately when my Grandad passed away my Mum was quite honest about what had happened – I can still remember her telling me that to this day too. But I think because we were preoccupied with our play, we weren’t asking any awkward questions either.

The Action Man above is that Action Man too. I found him when I was clearing out my parents loft. I suspect my Mum kept him for me to pass on to my kids. That won’t happen and I honestly don’t know what to do with him, his vehicles and weapons. For the time being he’s staying in the trunk I found him in, with the rest of his platoon.

I wonder if Sindy is still around, I’ll have to ask my cousin.

Thanks for reading.

If you’ve been forwarded this post by a friend or clicked on a social media link this is Fifty from Fifty, which is where I am recounting 50 things – memories, stories, musings, missives from my half-century of life, and we are at the halfway point, so from this point forward there will be more stories behind us than in front of us, so please do check out the archive.

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