Tracy

Tracy circa 1987

 My time in York (1986-1989) is when I grew up. 

I was by no means wild, Gawd forbid that! 

But I chose a new and wide set of friends, I had a moderate amount of sex and I assumed some responsibility at work

Tracey B was a part of this journey. She assumed the position of the two sisters I had left at home.

She liked me, she mothered me but I also made her laugh, which was a skill, I had learned through my psychiatric training. 

You were liked if you were funny..

Over the past 48 hours Tracy and I have shared little snippet's of our lives. 

“ Oh by the way …sort of things” 

Perhaps a little fearful of over facing the other.

I have always been attracted by strong warm characters when I left York for Sheffield, Nu was waiting for me and in a swirl of a red skirt and a twirl of a Spanish like wrist , Tracy was gone. 

No mobile phones or internet then

People did disappear . 

I have the opportunity now to thank her for her warmth and friendship. 

I was gauche and very Welsh and uninformed when I went to York. 

I was just 24 and a young 24, 

She was of similar age but a life time ahead of me and I was dazzled by her Sophia Loren smile and her wild hair and the way that people reacted to her.

My York years were my own very personal salad days.

Through Ally ( an OT friend of Tracy’s) I developed my love of the stage and for Opera. Through Dave was clumsy sexual awakenings and from Cheryl my ability of becoming a good friend.

Tracy made me laugh, though. 

Laugh, long and hard without shame or worry.

Boy, and did she make me laugh