This Special Day.

Today is the 4th July. This is for me a special day no, not because it’s American Independence Day or General Election Day in Britain. It is my parents Wedding Anniversary. 76 years today had they lived. Yet I still celebrate their Union , they fell in love over a Jim Reeves record ‘ I love you because ‘ and they eloped to England at a very young age.

They made home in Britain and worked hard, were fantastic parents and brought up three children with great responsibility and without ever shirking parenthood. The key ingredient is that they took responsibility and to do so was drilled into us. The problem today is that few wish to take responsibility in marriage, in Government, in power and Institutions.

My mother prayed throughout the day and as a child lost her parents at 8 years of age then brought up by a caring Aunt and Uncle. She walked 8 miles to Church regularly. My Father lost his hearing in the last 15 years of his life and communication was difficult. He outlived my Mother by 9 years and was lonely. My biggest regret was not spending more time with him, because the very rush of life and the inability to exchange was stolen.

The older I became the more sensitive I became to the loss of them both. Today I often wish I could tell my Mum of some breaking news in my life and I still remember her phone number off by heart. My Father loved history and in his last year I took him to Berlin to see the Brandenburg Gate, he had always wanted to see it.

Why oh why do we not value our relationships more , looking back surely every day together is a great joy and blessing. Why oh why is there never enough time, emotion unspoken, love unheard. My Father was one of 16 children and they have all passed away and the family scattered. Each rowing their own boats over the ocean called life. The Politicians tell us it’s a time for Change but I say it’s a time to Stop , recalibrate priorities in your life and value relationships , take stock of your situation and look to improve yourself in all departments of your life. The only thing we leave here is legacy and generations to follow so guard carefully your steps , your words and your ways.

My parents were buried in the same grave but they are not there. They are here in my heart , in me and my being and I still hear the final words of my Mother and the impact from them both. I’m grateful to Jim Reeves who died in a plane crash though they may all be singing together now as I write. So guys I can safely say to my parents on their wedding anniversary ‘ I love you because you are you ( both ) ‘ .