weather on yonder ridge

My Dad's 70th birthday today. He's just come through a wee health scare and is still a bit below par. He's taken it as he's taken his triple bypass, his prostate treatment, getting a growth cut from the palette of his mouth : with stoicism and acceptance. He's never been one to complain, he's always been the steady can-do presence in the family. Easy-osey.

It's sobering to see him become frail. He's always been mending something, or playing golf, or in the garden; he was a retained fireman until he retired. Yet he gets quietly on with things without fuss and has adapted to his new physical boundaries without complaint. He's never been one for emotional displays.

We had a lovely family dinner this evening at a restaurant. He enjoyed himself in his way. We had a giggle and shared the family happenings. Here's hoping his health rallies and he can get back to pottering about the garden and house and working on getting his golf handicap down. That's where we all hope he is headed, that is the perfect horizon.