According to the American Heritage Dictionary, the definition of a ‘Walter Mitty’ is an ordinary, often ineffectual person who indulges in fantastic daydreams of personal triumphs.’

For those of a certain age – like me and hubby – we remember watching the original film with the marvellous Danny Kaye. He portrayed a dreamy, hapless individual who felt trapped by the monotony of his life, seeking to escape through fantasy.

I know, all of us can probably sit back and lose our-self, hallucinating by being in another life, but mostly we manage to stay in touch with our reality and not pay too much attention to the exciting storyline that can be conceived in our heads when bored.

We humans, have a propensity toward escapism, or more simply a desire to venture into our daydreams, whether that be to jump out of an aeroplane, bungee jump or rafting – thinking up exciting scenarios when life seems boring, or simply read a romantic historical fiction.

Recently, a relative of mine became a ‘W. M’ victim, he was an intelligent, but lonely man, whose upbringing wasn’t ideal. As a child, due to an illness, wasn’t allowed to play or mix with other children, kept in isolation, and of course this affected him as an adult. Over the past five years or so, his monthly telephone conversations became more animated, regaling stories of his relationship with his local vet (Canadian descent). Socialising with her two sisters, who visited and stayed during lockdown, also allowing a friend to stay during this time. He excitedly recounted drinking parties and a forthcoming visit to Canada – for a family bereavement. Although he had a passport, he had never travelled further than his home town. He explained in great detail, the family history of his girlfriend, being a Native American, recalling spiritual talks he had with the Elders and being awarded a ‘spiritual name’.

Unable to contact him over the Christmas period, I sadly discovered, he is now in a nursing home, after a severe stroke – needing constant care. It seems all the wonderfully exciting stories, existed only in his imagination. Loneliness, isolation and a feeling of disconnection are tragic consequences of the complexity of mental health.

We all need to play our part and be aware that not all we hear or see is necessarily true. If you take nothing away from this story but the thought to be more mindful and understanding of others – then I feel something has been achieved – this is for you Ray.