Spade Our Friend 1959 to 2008

Red: [narrating] I have to remind myself that some birds aren't meant to be caged. Their feathers are just too bright. And when they fly away, the part of you that knows it was a sin to lock them up DOES rejoice. Still, the place you live in is that much more drab and empty that they're gone. I guess I just miss my friend.
From 'The Shawshank Redemption'

I've been carrying around a wee notebook and jotting down notes as they came into my head of the spectacularly good times I had with Spade over the last 35 years or so. I'll them add to this page later.

One that sticks in my mind and why I've used the quote above, is the first time I saw 'The Shawshank Redemption'. It was with Ali and Spade in Howe St. We'd got some wine and a takeaway and were just watching the film, the kid(s?) were in bed. Here was new side to Spade that I hadn't seen before 'Family Man'. Everytime I see 'TSR' I'm taken back to that evening in Howe Street seeing my friend a happy, proud and content father.

Spade was this exotic bright creature that came into our lives. We were a parochial bunch of couldn't see past 'The Ship Inn' Musselburgh boys. We used to have some great debates about the world outside of EH21. Spade challenged those boundaries, made us see the bigger picture, got us to 'go up town'.

“Like the wind crying endlessly through the universe, Time carries away the names and the deeds of conquerors and commoners alike. And all that we are, all that remains, is in the memories of those who cared we came this way for a brief moment.”
~ Harlan Ellison

here
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