My Mum was 80 last month — my Dad is 80 next month. We split the difference and held a joint 80th birthday party today (hence the banner across the door), at my sister’s place. Mum and Dad do seem to still like each other after over 58 years of marriage, which, of course, is how it should be. Happy birthdays to them.
A couple of months ago, at least, we made an arrangement that we would visit my sister Vicki and family today for a Sunday out, let there be dinner, socialising, sunshine etc. This date got sucked into the COVID-19 black hole some time ago.
But thanks to the miracle of videoconferencing, we did our best to find a replacement. Seven family members, including myself, appear on the laptop screen at the back — Joe being the only attendee who cannot be seen. We ate well. It was fun. But it is not and never will be reality, and soon, we would like reality back please.
Apart from the fact that Joe, when stood up, is now some six inches taller than his grandfather, I would suggest that this photo is a pretty decent summation of how both of these people look at this point in time. Which is why I like it.
Family pre-Christmas get-together today. My Dad here lines up the family portrait, and records another year in his own way, as I add him to my record of mine.
Since Thursday we’ve been redecorating our bedroom but it’s not a particularly exciting series of events. Still, it deserves to get on this blog at some point, as the site is intended to reflect the full range of my life’s activities. Except on this day, we got the experts in to help – i.e., my Dad. I don’t trust my shelving skills. Thus, this is my father’s first appearance on this blog – and thanks to him today for his sterling work.
Being 42 