"I recall these old recollections at the strangest times," Mr. Lorry observed. "I am alone at my desk in Tellson's Bank, and suddenly there rises up in my mind the smell of the day before yesterday's soup, the rustling of my mother's gown, the room I slept in, the sound of the city streets at night. As I look at the little lighted room through the door of the bank parlour, I can see the light of our old room, the room that will always be a part of me like my own body is. It is curious to me that you make such faces at me."
Charles Dickens — A Tale of Two Cities
Image generated with the assistance of Microsoft Word
One day, my friend's daughter curiously asked, "Dad, how many years did you spend in Govan?"
"Thirteen," he replied.
"And how many years have you been in Rutherglen?"
"Fifty-five years," he answered.
"So, why do you say 'Acumfaegovan?"'
Indeed, why? There’s wisdom even in the questions of children. It’s all about the 'firsts' in our lives: first kiss, first love, first home, first record or cd. These pivotal moments carry substantial emotional weight as they mark significant milestones. They are typically charged with deep emotion and considerable change, fundamentally shaping our understanding of ourselves and the world.
The first place we grow up is crucial—it's tied to our formative years, setting the stage for our childhood experiences that lay the groundwork for our world view. It's where we absorb our initial social norms, forge our earliest friendships, and face our first major challenges. The nostalgia and sentimental value attached to our early environment often lend it a lasting, romantic aura in our memories.
The profound impact of these first experiences stems from their novelty; they establish the benchmarks by which all similar future experiences are judged. They unfold during our most impressionable years, a time when our emotional responses are particularly acute. These foundational experiences anchor us, embedding deep within our identity, and continue to influence our choices and relationships long into the future. That's why, despite the many years and changes, Grandad still identifies with Govan—it's where his journey began.
Translation: Acumfaegovan: I come from Govan.
My first record was In My Chair by Status Quo that I purchased in Jolly's in Shaw Street, Govan. I still love those blues riffs,
Status Quo - In My Chair ( Original Footage On Top Of The Pops 1970 )
