Dec 16 2008
Daughter turns 21……
Turning 21 in Australasia (NZ & Ozzy) is a big deal…..it has various traditions across cultures…………
WELL my daughter turned 21 today and because I am 8000 miles away from her, she is in Australia, I have decided to have a kind of online party. I created a gallery and shared the usual photos and said a few words for the occasion.
Here’s the link.
Rachel’s 21st Birthday Party Online
I am proud of her.
And all my 3 kids.
3 Responses to “Daughter turns 21……”
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Hiya Graham!
A wonderful tribute to Rachel. Sure you might have some regrets; that’s the nature of this thing we call LIFE. Ironic huh - how life seems to contain a whole lot of dying?
No offense Graham, but why give so much time and energy to the fleeting ideas of socialism, patriotism, and even the debates and opinions of elections? It’s all dust. Dust and flowering grasses. Let’s face it; how many lives do we impact with proving ourselves right & then others proving themselves righter?
The things that really matter, the things you will talk about with your family gathered around as your life fades away, that’s the stuff worth remembering and sharing. The love you have for your family: I’d take time to read that any day. You’ve had a hugely positive impact on your wonderful family. No-one’s kids turn out fabulous by chance.
And not only your family, but you’ve also had the opportunity to make a huge difference to hundreds of kids through your teaching. Unfortunately, you might not have received the thanks and feedback that you’ve deserved. It’s rare to be acknowledged. But don’t let that stop you. You might never know the difference that you make, but don’t let that stop you.
You know what really impacted me working with you? The first day you were relieving in Melanie’s next door to me; your warm hello and your playing the fiddle to the kids. Doing what you loved, being who you are. Really, who could ask for more?
That was just the start. I really enjoyed working with you, I found a kindred spirit that I haven’t found anywhere else.
Springsteen sang about the human touch. To me, that’s the most powerful force on earth. A word; a touch; a smile, wink, or tear.
See ya; God speed.
Craig
Hi Graham,
Craig has said it all. You are my brother man, and all those things he writes about I see in you. Thankyou Craig for saying it all in a better way than I could say.
You are so gifted Graham in many ways and I am reminded of the seed and how one plants and another reaps. Who would know how many lives and family’s you have touched, and i’m sure you’ve touched in many different ways.
What Father hasen’t made mistakes? There ain’t no textbook for becoming a parent, it is a pathway of growth and experience, all on an as you go base’s. The mistakes bare witness to the love we have for our family, and they create humility in us that enables us to extend to and influence others with that love.
When I walked around your school with you and witnessed the love and respect that those kids had for you, I was so moved and can I say really proud of you as my brother. You are so humble and graceous in acheivement and those kids looked up to you because you had created vision in their lives, a vision that they grasped because they could see purpose and meaning in life for them.
And for your family that has been your purpose to. That is an amazing piece of poetry that you have written to Rachel and it could not have been written with out a loving and humble heart.
You have wonderful children and they have an amazing and wonderful Dad.
Cheers my good Mate.
Thanks John.
For yours words, encouragement, and most of all, for being my brother, you couldn’t find a better one anywhere.
Now that I have wanderlust, when I get back to NZ, i will stand on the Sth Island for sure……………’
I raise my glass and toast you back mate!
Graham