70 - not out!

It is high time to update my blog. There have been so many things happening in my life over the past two months that it will take a little while to catch up. Problem: Where do I begin? Perhaps my special birthday celebrations are probably as good as any. After all, it is 70 years ago on 1 April 1939 that I first made myself heard on this planet!

The family most kindly invited (!) me not only to my party, but also to Timothy & Heather's 40th birthday party - all on the one night! With their birthday on 20 March and mine on 1 April, plus the complication of Sarah's (Mark & Cal's second daughter) planned wedding on 4 April, the family settled on Saturday 21 March as the appropriate date for a joint celebration. Just to make it more interesting, that is the birthday of grandson Andrew!

Andrew on the left with his brother Nigel who flew in from Adelaide

But, as the well-known TV advertisement says, 'BUT THERE IS MORE!' Tim's son Luke's birthday is on 19 March - he was eight years old! Then....two days after my party, Jacquie (Tim's wife & my daughter in law) had her birthday! And if that wasn't enough, Jason - Vicki's son, has his birthday on 26 March. Lost count? Good! I think I have too.

It was a wonderful and informal evening that we all enjoyed. I enjoyed having all my own children with me plus their partners except for Cal, who was not able to make it because of the preparation for Sarah's wedding. Fourteen grandchildren shared the evening with me, and that was special, as were a representative group of friends who have shared my life's journey until now. It was pretty special to acknowledge those who traveled from interstate especially for the party. Their generosity and love towards me was quite overwhelming and I am most grateful.

The following is a photographic glimpse of the evening:Decorations for both the forty-year olds and the 70-year old!An overview.
The meal was lovely. The above shows some of the family.I have every reason to be grateful and PROUD of these good looking young people!
They are a real joy!
The Woonona (Wollongong) contingent.
On the left, friends that go back to 1951 from primary school days!
On the right, Fred & Gillian who were responsible for the printing of tens of thousands of Bibles during my time as Publisher of the Bible Society in Australia.Long time friends, going back to the Guide Dogs days, Helen & Mike
Margaret at her best, reciting a delightful poem about me and Carol. Thanks Margaret!
Denis & Lynn with Gail & Henk (brother)
A special moment with sister Elizabeth & brother Dirk. It was the last time
I saw her before she passed away three days later.Heather was in good form as she shared with us! Evidently enjoyed by all present! Father Siebrand was not to be outdone, and made his own statement:
It was my opportunity to present my birthday gift to the family:Beyond all Expectations! The story of our lives until 1972.

Finally, the cutting of three birthday cakes:

With Tim & Heather, plus little Joe, my youngest grandchild.
It was indeed, a Happy Birthday!

But the celebrations were by no means over. On the actual birthday, together with my brothers and sisters, we thoroughly enjoyed a cruise to Peppermint Bay, including lunch. It was a fun day where we shared as a family and some special one to one moments:From left: Dirk, Pieter, Henk, Siebrand, Iemke & Errit.

Brother John was unable to be with us due to ill health.