A Century.

Ten days ago it was 100 years since my Mother was born. Today it would have been my Father's 100th birthday so it is only fair I remember him on this day.

He was a quiet unassuming person, but with a determined mind. He died at 89 years old - he so wanted to reach 90. He lost his sight in his 70's and faced it like it was a challenge to be met and beaten. He taught himself to touch type and learned how to use a computer .... one that had audio as he typed (very annoying voice on it!) He was very fit and loved to visit the gym, swimming pool and bowls for the visually impaired. His guide dog gave him so many opportunities, to meet people and be active. A guide dog is more than 'the eyes' of a person, they bring about a way of communication, people would stop and talk to him because of the dog, without a dog he would be ignored as he found out when he had a stay in hospital.

In 2006 he was awarded the 'Service to the Community Award' for his fundraising efforts. He devised a challenge for himself where he would walk to all the venues of his various activities, swimming pool, bowls club, gym, running track and complete an event at each!

I have a story from his WW11 years that we only found out towards the end of his life. He was in the Royal Air Force and airborne on his way to Singapore when it fell to the Japanese. His flight was diverted so luckily never landed. To think what could have been but for a few hours, I for one probably wouldn't have existed.

The blip photo are his medals that he wore proudly on the Cenotaph remembrance parade each November.