Thirty-seven years ago today…..

 

Today is our son’s birthday. Thirty-seven years ago, hubby and I were blessed with the cutest baby boy. Here he is, just a few days old.

Much water has passed under the bridge since then, and he now he is married, with three lovely children of his own, one of which is a son who looks just like him.

These photos of little Max remind me of when his dad was also a puddle-jumper. 🙂

How quickly they grow, and our love grows right along with them. Happy Birthday, Jeff.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Love

“If music be the food of love, play on.”  ~ Shakespeare

Whilst roaming in Rome, we were on our way to view some archaeological excavations, when I heard beautiful music and went to investigate. There under a shady tree, was a young clarinetist serenading the passersby. People dropped a few Euros into his case, as they literally danced past. An elderly Italian couple, obviously still very much in love, stayed and danced for quite a while, as he played the wonderful love song, “Besame Mucho.”

Besame, besame mucho,
Each time I cling to your kiss, I hear music divine,
Besame mucho,
Hold me my darling and say that you’ll always be mine.
This joy is something new, my arms enfolding you,
Never knew this thrill before.
Whoever thought I’ll be holding you close to me,
Whispering it’s you I adore.

They seemed oblivious to everyone except one another and the music, which obviously evoked for them, wonderful memories. I stayed and watched them dance, and I really felt the love.

To see more entries for this challenge, just click here.

Happy Anniversary to us.

Today is our wedding anniversary. We were married on a cold and snowy day in England, so many years ago. In that same year, some of the songs we danced to were Frank Sinatra’s ‘Strangers in the night’, Nancy Sinatra singing ‘These boots were made for walking’,  ‘Reach out, I’ll be there’ by The Four Tops,  and “God only knows” and “Good Vibrations” by the Beach Boys. Movies we watched. were ‘Thunderbirds are Go’, ‘Alfie’, starring Michael Caine and Shelley Winters, ‘Born Free’, ‘A Man and a Woman’, ‘Hotel Paradiso’, starring Alec Guinness  and Gina Lollobrigida, and also the first ‘Batman’ movie.

The Prime Minister of England, where were living at the time, was Harold Wilson; Lyndon Johnson was President of the USA, and B J Vorster was Prime Minister of South Africa.

It was the year Walt Disney died and Halle Berry was born; the year England won the Soccer World Cup, and four years after the death of Marilyn Monroe. Can you work out what year it was?

As a very young couple of newly weds, we had very little in the way of money or material things, but what we did have, was our love and dream of a ‘happily ever after’ life together. Now, two wonderful children and five grandchildren later, we once again celebrate our love for one another. So many years have passed since we said “I do,” and yet it’s hard to believe that we’re that much older than we were then. We’re just the same two people, still happily in love and looking forward to many more years together. At times it’s been an exciting roller coaster ride, then there have been the calm, smooth sailing periods when we’ve just coasted along without too much effort at all. Through all these years, I’ve been so fortunate to have had someone who loves me unconditionally and without reserve; someone I can totally depend on to always be there for me through thick and thin. I just couldn’t imagine life without my wonderful man. We’re true soul mates, and although we’re very different in many ways, we get along so well. We’ve laughed together, cried together, and most importantly of all, we’ve stayed together.

“A kiss is just a kiss till you find the one you love.

 A hug is just a hug, till you find the one you’re always thinking of.

 A dream is just a dream till it magically comes true 

 Love was just a word till I heard it from you.”   ~ anon.

This post is in answer to Jake’s Sunday Post Challenge “Follow your dreams.”

Jake’s Sunday Post theme “Pet.” Man saves his best friend.

Jake’s Sunday Post theme, ‘Pet’, reminded me of a story I saw on Sky News in February of this year. This incident really illustrated to me what true love for your pet can lead you to do. I believe that when you are in love with someone, you will do anything for them, and go to any lengths to be with them. If they are in danger, you will even risk your life to save them, which is exactly what this man did one bitterly cold Sunday morning in England. His dog had got itself stranded out on the ice-covered River Stour, so without a thought for his own safety, and with no hesitation, this foolhardy man stripped right down to his underpants and crawled inch by inch across the ice to save his beloved pet.

Miraculously he managed to reach his best friend, just as he himself tumbled into the icy water. Thankfully, they both managed to clamber to safety, whereupon this hero calmly got dressed again, and they continued on their walk. The incident was captured on camera by another dog walker, who found it hard to believe what he was seeing. This may seem like a foolish act of bravery, but it just goes to prove that when a loved one is in danger, be that a person or a pet, we are likely to throw all caution to the four winds and just do whatever is necessary to save them. I think it’s such a wonderful story, and am so glad it had a happy ending.

Have a great day everyone. Chat again soon.