1. Winter became his enemy
2. How he loved the wooded hills
3. War is like winter, unforgiving
4. they forge their own armour

Winter became his enemy

Winter became his enemy. He was brought up in one of the coldest parts of the country, a province gifted by many historical wonders, but also a sharp continental climate, icy winters and very hot summers. At school they played rugby football in the snow, only in winter, for the ground was far too hard and stony the rest of the time.

One hot summer he went swimming, he must have been in his early teens. The open air pool had no filtered water, and this was his downfall. The bacteria he caught could have been fatal. His doctor did all the right things just on time, and part from a small effect on his heart, which was not life threatening, he recovered. But his doctor warned him: cold would be his worst enemy, for the rest of his life.

How he loved the wooded hills

He was a strong-willed boy, and enjoyed all sports and became tougher. He loved literature, was fascinated by the history of the region, which had been a culture hub and of economic prowess in the middle ages. How he loved the wooded hills, and the many medieval villages, mostly abandoned. He was also tempted by engineering. As he learned later, one does not always chose. He avoided the cold breath of November and the months that were coldest, sometimes up to March. 

As naive as one can be at his age, he interrupted his studies and went to do his military service. His first posting was still in the cold country, but not for long. As it happened he would soon learn about the desert, the incredible contrasts between night and day, the nights at well below zero degree, and the sand storms. He fell in love with the desert, the people who lived there and the animals.

War is like winter, unforgiving

War is like winter, unforgiving. He was closed, several times, to lose his life there, in the sand, away from his family and the girls he had cherished. Yet he was, after all, a survivor. When he came home, finally, wounded, decorated, and poor, he had everything to rebuild.

they forge their own armour

Winter succeeded to the autumn rains. His pedigree was such he had no problem in finding work, and resuming his studies. He heard that another war would be likely. But for him it was over, like playing in the snow. Gradually he made his way. But life is a one way street. When he finally met her, who was to be the one, she knew he and her would succeed, by sheer will power, and an iron grip on his training.

His only weakness was his fear of cold weather. Their son grew up like him, ironman. As their world slowly sunk into decline and idiocy, he feared for his son’s life. But it was not to be: survivors breed survivors, they forge their own armour.

Bitter Regret, Hope