Well that didn't last very long did it? Sometimes I think you just need to admit it's not working and it solves the problem, so here we are again, hurtling toward 1000 posts.
So at the weekend my parents celebrated their golden wedding. Fifty glorious years. Of course, they've had their ups and downs but which marriage doesn't. As a family we've had our moments too, but at the end of the day blood's thicker than water. I had to give a speech which I was dreading because I knew I'd well up during it, and I did. But then so did everyone else and when that happens everyone's very forgiving.
At their silver wedding in 1985 when I was 20, a family friend grabbed me in the kitchen (now that hurts) and strong- armed me into making a speech. I had nothing prepared as it hadn't even occurred to me to do so, but I winged it and it was fine.
This time I was prepared but it was so much more emotional. So much water has passed under the bridge since then. What was really noticeable about the day was not who was there, but who wasn't. At the 25th we had grandparents, uncles aunties, great uncles and aunts, cousins, etc. This time there was mum's sister and my dad's sister, with accompanied by one fifty-something son apiece. The rest are either dead or scattered to the four winds. But there were grandchildren there. Does this sound like an M&S ad.
But the heartening thing was the amount of friends who were there. Socially they're busier than we are! They're still whooping up in their seventies. Many's time I've had to send them to bed for being drunk and laughing at their own jokes until they cried. Secretly of course I thought that was great.
I'm not holding out much hope for a 60th, but hey, you never can tell. They're an example of growing old gracefully. I hope I've learnt a lot from them.
6 comments:
Hooray, good to have you back.
And best wishes and good health to Mr and Mrs F-C Snr.
Hello - that's the quickest handbrake turn since Starsky and Hutch.
Gaps at family get-togthers are awful aren't they. It's like some respected senior member has dropped off of the conveyor belt. Make the most while you've got them FC, even if you overdo the contact - you'll never regret it later
Yes, you're right Mondo. I intend to.
I had to make an off-the-cuff speech at my parents' fortieth. I was grabbed by my sister and had a microphone thrust in my hand and told to 'say summat, you're the only lad, it's your job.' I think if I'd had something prepared I'd have only pooed myself about it for weeks. As it is I just spouted a load of rubbish because I was half-cut by that time.
I doubt such a witty raconteur like yourself has trouble in that department, FC.
You'd be surprised, I was totally dreading it, but once you realise you're among friends it's okay. It's not like I'm Tony Blair or anything.
Ah, how lovely. You're so lucky to still have parents, but it sounds like you know that. And how great that they still get boozy and laugh together.
And good to have you back, even though you're not Tony Blair or anything.
Post a Comment