Stepping Up by Ronald Mackay

16/4/2021

It is always a real pleasure to feature the writing of our most supportive contributor, Ronald Mackay. You can read his first contribution to this year's Authors Showcase, Stepping Up, by clicking here.

Ronald Mackay began writing stories about his earlier life less than a decade ago. Since then, he has published two books about working in Tenerife in the early 1960s (one in English, the other in Spanish) and an account of the two years he spent behind the Iron Curtain in Ceauşescu’s Romania from 1967 to 1969. He is a member of the Spirit of the Hills Arts Association (Ontario, Canada) https://spiritofthehills.org/

He enjoys contributing short, autobiographical stories to Fred’s Blog on this Authors Showcase page.

Ronald appreciates that penning personal stories, long or short, allow him to discover the people he has loved and admired, the places he has cherished, and some of the salient experiences that have molded his life. These, he believes, are true treasures worthy of returning to and reflecting upon.

14 Comments

Syd Blackwell

16/4/2021 07:24:43 pm

A skillfully written delightful vignette of an amazing, empowering, enriching moment of your life. How that day must have served you well in the immediate years that followed.

Ronald Mackay

17/4/2021 01:13:05 pm

Thanks, Syd.
Yes, the boost that incident gave me was critical in my life and how I managed the years that followed.
Best,
Ron

Irene Pylypec link

16/4/2021 08:03:20 pm

Great story from your youth! Always wonderful to be appreciated by adults.

Ronald Mackay

17/4/2021 01:09:48 pm

Thanks Irene,
Yes, at that age, the esteem of adults is very important to us.
Thanks for enjoying this piece.
Ron

Denise Morel

16/4/2021 09:35:31 pm

Ron is extremely talented at taking what would appear to be a simple, unremarkable incident and turning it into a delightful story with a profound moral message. I think most of us have forgotten the first experience of being recognized for an achievement, and how it served to increase our self-confidence and motivate us to achieve even more. Nowadays, the very notion of “achievement” or “superior performance” is looked upon suspiciously, because it suggests inequalities. Competition in school – e.g. spelling bees – is discouraged, because it results in “winners” and “losers.” Instead, everyone receives a “participation trophy,” which is supposed to improve everyone’s self-esteem. But if you receive a trophy without having done anything to earn it, how does that improve your self-esteem? I’m probably reading more into this than what Ron intended, but hey! Isn’t that what a good story is supposed to do?

Ronald Mackay

17/4/2021 01:15:48 pm

Your compliments made me blush, Denise!
In those days, we were certainly encouraged to make an effort and try hard. We knew that we would be judged and did all we could to be judged well.
Best,
Ron

Euan Lindsay-Smith

16/4/2021 11:15:54 pm

Ronald seems to have an unending supply of interesting and meaningful stories from his fascinating upbringing, and this is yet another of these. It is written, as usual, in his modest and inimitable style. Always enjoyable to read Ronald's stories.

Ronald Mackay

17/4/2021 01:18:40 pm

Thank you for these kind words about my writing, Euan.
Indeed, we had a valuable upbringing in those days. I just hope our grandchildren receive such a good preparation for life as we enjoyed.
Best, Ronald

Chistopher Black link

17/4/2021 02:35:50 pm

A charming vignette of youth and growing up that put me in the time and place and wished I was the boy on the bike. But seems there was also a flirtation gong on a little there -perhaps unconcsious on both parts, but also part of growing up..

Ronald Mackay

18/4/2021 02:36:15 am

Thanks, Chris. More mutual appreciation, I think. Best, Ron

Nila Mendoza

19/4/2021 06:56:04 pm

Being recognized is something that we all need to a lesser or greater degree; and you have expressed it in a vivid way, with a language impregnated with feelings and pride of having had the joy of living something so particular. Every time I read you, I feel admiration for the images which are so descriptive that allow the reader to visualize, even, the feelings that overwhelm the writer. Congratulations for so much ingenuity, experience and, above all, for the pleasant enjoyment of leading us step by step along the wonderful path of such a majestic narrative. Beautiful work! Big hug, Nila Mendoza.

Ronald Mackay

19/4/2021 08:19:18 pm

I am overwhelmed by your appreciation, Nila! Thank you so much for capturing exactly what I intend. Best wishes, Mackay

Diane Taylor link

20/4/2021 04:18:17 pm

A rich life lesson while on an after-school delivery job. I don't know how much seven and six pence is but the pay offered greater rewards than mere, if much appreciated, pennies. There is an almost fatherly tone to this piece, as if you are out of yourself, following the boy's progress.

Ronald Mackay

20/4/2021 05:11:02 pm

Delighted that you found this piece enchanting, Diane, since you were the expert instructor who started me off on the path to writing memoir -- to my good fortune. You are right -- there were more than monetary rewards when we worked a part-time job in those days. Best wishes, Ron

Stepping Up by Ronald Mackay

Leave a Reply.

Archives