WHERE DID THOSE YEARS GO?

Today is our older son, Martyn's, birthday - and you will be able to work out from the tag on this photograph how old he is.  He was a very contented baby and was always happy.  This photograph was probably taken by Mr. HCB's mother, Martyn's grandmother, as she was the photographer in those days, and of course, it was then put into a proper Photograph Album.  

Mr. HCB's parents lived about a 5 minute walk from us, but I recall that it took me much longer to walk there for my very first outing, when Martyn was 10 days old, but I did have a lovely Royale pram to push - none of those huge folding pushchairs for us - we walked everywhere back then and enjoyed doing so.

Whilst looking for a photograph for today, I came across a letter written to Martyn by Fred Carr, the Minister who had married us three years before,  and who had become such a special part of our lives.  He often came to have a meal with us and had so many wonderful stories to tell.  Part of his letter says:

"My dear little man,

.....I do hope that you are feeling all right, coming into such a big world.  There are so many beautiful things for you to learn and discover as the years go by!  And I pray that you will go all the way making good and faithful friends and finding that in a wonderful way you are being watched over and cared for by Someone great and good who looks upon us all as His dear children.

Do take care of dear Mum, and don't waken her too often in the night.  She might be tired.  And try to let Daddy sleep a bit too.  Maybe, if you just whimper once in a while, Mum will sing to you.  I've heard her singing and I'm sure she's good at lullabies.

Now be a good laddie and may your years be bright with the sunshine of God.  Congratulations to you all.

Lots of love from 

Uncle Fred" xxx

Reading that again, after all these years, brought back happy memories of Fred and also of our lovely son who has grown into a kind, generous and caring husband and father and a good friend to many.  

He and his wife are at present "On Safari" in South Africa, so we hope they are having a wonderful time - when we have our meal later, we will raise a glass to you both - and a special "thank you" to Martyn for being a great son - we are very proud of you, your family and all you have achieved. 

Start children off 
    on the way they should go,
         and even when they are old 
               they will not turn from it.
Proverbs 22:6
New International Version