The Half-Asleep Mr Dunn

It just struck me the other day that, compared to other members of my family, I have led a pretty incident-free existence (up to now). Amongst other things and subject to correction, my father spent much of his early years accompanying his mother and sister as they scampered around Europe trying to keep one jump ahead of an irate husband in hot pursuit. Something like that anyway. In the case of my mother, what seems at this distance like a placid and serene existence was shattered by the War (incidentally I wonder how much longer we can refer to the War and be sure that people know to which war we are referring?).

The lives of my three sisters have in their different ways been filled with drama and trauma, while my brother has had to confront (and overcome) great difficulties. As for me, I have been extraordinarily fortunate to avoid any serious illness or dramatic emotional upheaval. But at least some of this immunity may have been gained at the cost of a certain detachment or lack of engagement. And there is a price to pay for this lack of engagement, as I am well aware...