‘Having ADHD when your Dad is dying’. Mini gig in Dad’s ‘Dying/Living room’ Oct 2023

This is probably one of the most important performances in my life to date. I nearly didn’t do it, but finding bravery in asking… ‘what’s the worst that could happen…???? (He’s dying…)’ And Avin a word with myself! ‘He might die and you WILL live to regret not being brave enough to risk this moment of connection’.
Dad’s not managed to see me perform since I started my spoken word poetry journey. He and is wife have sadly been in a 3 year selection box of cancer life n death and grabbing lovely living in between.
I wanted to do a ‘mini gig’ for him whilst he is still in his ‘living room’ and so I put these two pieces together and titled them ‘Having ADHD when your Dad is dying’.
It was super vulnerable, gorgeous, funny, moving, connecting and I’m extra glad I recorded it. Dad has given his full consent for me to share. He totally understands the way of the artist and that this is my calling; this divining and curating of vulnerability, expression, connection and creativity. It’s what I feel I’m supposed to be doing here. He said, ‘Never worry about offending other people in saying and doing what you need to do, remember, you’ve written a book called ‘Fuck it!’ 🤣
I’m super grateful for my Quaker upbringing, in being able to deeply feel that full body shake of moving towards truth speaking and being guided that that means it’s the right thing to be expressing 🙏🌺 I hope it moves you too xxx
(I read the above to Dad as well, to
many nods and smiles and then we had a discussion about people living the life they need to lead without regret or hiding their true selves)