Letters to my Grandchild

Hello my darling Em, August was a busy month - it was my 70th birthday on 6th August and I had a High Tea at home which went off exactly as I hoped it would.  Some of our oldest friends were there, like Barbara and Charles Mason.  Gumpy and Charles worked together in 1961 and I first met them 50 years ago.  Charles was our groomsman at our wedding.  He is the tall man on the right with my friend Colleen who was my bridesmaid.  We still keep in touch. Three people in this photograph have passed away.  Brian was Gumpy's bestman, Patty was my Matron of Honour and her daughter, Caroline, was our flower girl.  They have all passed on.  You have met the other two people - Gumpy's cousins Anthony and Carol who now live in Australia. Do you recognize our page boy, the little boy next to Gumpy?  Believe it or not that is Uncle Jeff!  My brother was 10 years old (not much older than you are now) when we got married. Jenny, Marion, Barbara ...

 Hello my princess Emily! My lost suitcase finally arrived and I was able to give you the presents I bought for you in Spain - a picture book about Santiago de Compostela, a Camino t-shirt and two party dresses. You are learning how to play chess so I bought you a small chess set to practise with.  You played with Gumpy at our house using the 'Magic Table' chess board and you did really well. You are also doing pottery and this is a bunny that you made for your Aunt Candice. Jeff and Richard came to stay for a weekend to watch the rugby.   You were there to meet them at the airport. Jeff took the family out to dinner   At the rugby you got an autograph from the TV Sports presenter  After rugby we had a braai at our place. Gumpy and I went to your school sports day.  You took part in the star event.  Your house won!  We are planning a sl...

My darling Em, I was away for most of this month, walking the Camino to Santiago with Gail.  You know that Jeff had a big operation on his throat and neck last year after being diagnosed with throat cancer.  Afterwards he needed chemo and radiation and Gail cared for him and stayed with him during his treatments.  This meant that they couldn't walk with Gumpy and me in Italy to Rome.  Gail was very disappointed but I promised her that when she was ready, I would walk with her in Italy or Spain.  She chose Spain and on 9th May we flew to Spain to start our Camino. Tammy sent us photos of you while we were away and on your Dad's birthday we spoke to you all on Skype.  We missed all the May birthdays and the birthday dinner. You did your 400m swim while we were away.  We were so proud of you Em!! You had an outing with Mecayla. The mermaid swimsuit I'd ordered for you was  delivered - you look great in it - ...