Should you write a book about your life?

By Bill Fox/Columnist

Have you ever thought about writing a book about your life? I was recently told that I should write a book. Now, I’m not sure what it was I said to a stranger to suggest that, because I don’t think I have enough experiences that would make my book all that interesting.

How about you? I’m sure many of us have had interesting experiences that might make some think we should write them down, but an entire book?

So if I did write my life story, here are some things I might put in it:

• I taught for a span of 40 years and in that time, I taught a boy who went on to rob a gas station and hold a hostage, and I taught a young girl who went on to be a doctor and the head of sports medicine for a Toronto hospital. She said I instilled in her a love of sport, which she never had until she came into my Grade 8 class. As for the robber, he really was not a bad kid in my Grade 8 class in Downsview, other than he skipped almost as many days as he attended school. There were some serious home issues that contributed to his skipping and his eventual spree of crime. I do hope he eventually found his way in life.
• I attended the first Beatles concert in Toronto at the old Maple Leaf Gardens, and but for the screaming, I heard only one word, “boys” from Ringo. My ears rang for hours after. I also attended the first Rolling Stones concert in Toronto, where I heard every word, but I did notice some people with “paper bags” and there was a distinct smell of “funny smoke.”
• In the mid-60s, along with four buddies, I attended every Leaf game from 1962 to 1965. I was at the Stanley Cup parades in 1962, 1963 and 1964…seems unreal now. My buddies and I would get to the Gardens the moment the gates opened and we would shoot right up the stairs to the highest nosebleed section where we would have standing room for $2 a game.
• Before Jan 1, 2000, I entered a competition in the Toronto Star to have my thoughts on the new millennium published in their commemorative edition. This was to be placed in a time capsule in the Toronto Star building.
• I was one of about 15 chosen to be included in that Jan. 1, 2000 edition and for my first Express column, I submitted an edited down version of that Jan. 1 selection. It was entitled, “My ten hopes for youth and their parents in the new millennium.”
• I have volunteered in a women’s prison, and years ago I worked one summer at St. Michael’s Detox Centre in Toronto.
• On different occasions, I have had dinner with Mother Teresa, Viktor Frankl (Man’s Search For Meaning) and John Howard Griffin (Black Like Me), with each of them having an impact on my life.
• I played hockey until I was 50…seems like a great accomplishment now that I am much older.
• I was on a town council in the Village of Beeton for 9 years, until we moved to Oshawa more than 30 years ago. During that time, I also ran provincially for Steven Lewis on what I felt was the crucial issue of our environment. I clearly remember that the average fine for the pulp and paper companies that polluted our waterways was $812.50, seeming almost like a license to pollute rather than a fine. I must also say I had great respect for my opponents from the other parties, and they in turn, I believe had respect for me. That is definitely something that is lacking in spades when you see our negative advertising in this federal election.
• Finally, as a columnist for the Oshawa Express, I have written more than 350 columns…quite an accomplishment as I reflect on it…but enough to write a book?