A 70th Birthday family Gathering and an Ode to a Walking Stick

The Birthday Boy!

Some folk have asked "Where have you been" and I have replied "Away to the Big Smoke" which actually is my old home town, the city of Auckland which I left some 21 years ago. My 70th Birthday was on the 30th September, but owing to business commitments we had to postpone any celebrations until the 6th October and we decided to incorporate a low key family gathering on the same day. I sent out a message suggesting we find a hall that would be convenient for our families to find and preferably not too expensive as we are in the middle of a major kitchen renovation (more of that in another blog)

My Daughter Kelly and her Husband Craig wasted no time and found a small hall in Oratia that was available and with their combined cooking skills offered to do all the catering. They said the hall was part of a local complex that also had a secure children's play area and this option made for a quick decision to book the premises. The day arrived soon enough and Lyn and I departed from Waipu hoping that our herd of heifers had plenty of grass and would behave themselves for the two days we would be away. An hour into our journey we were enveloped in heavy rain and low cloud and the prospect for a nice day looked very gloomy indeed. However the Luck of the Irish prevailed and we arrived on the outskirts of West Auckland with clear skies and nice sunny weather. Off to a good start!

2x branches of the family tree

On arrival at the hall we noticed that Craig and my Son Gary were struggling to find tables that weren't damaged, a missing ladder to hang up balloons and the absence of any cutlery or plates! It appears that over a short period these items had been stolen and not replaced and although this made it difficult for serving food later on, they managed to layout a table groaning with a huge range of food. Time arrived for the meal and after a short speech which included a reference to our beloved family members who had passed on since our last gathering I was able to say the Selkirk Grace and we did our best to clear the table of food (failing miserably!) Following the meal I managed to say a few more words of thanks to all for their generous gifts and for their attendance and I was thrilled and moved by speeches from my brothers and sister and a cousin who lauded our progress over the years as a family and the close ties we enjoy today. It was an extremely emotional time and I will remember these speeches for all my days. Another highlight was the attendance of an old family friend who grew up with our Family in Parnell and she and I had attended Parnell school together so our association went back a full 70 years. Tess had lived next door to my Grandmother and the relationship between our families was that close that she called our Grandmother, Nana too!

The 70th Cakes!

The children were collected from the playground for the cutting of the fantastic birthday cakes made by my very creative Daughter Kelly and her husband Craig and the hall soon rang out with the traditional "Happy Birthday" song as I blew out the candles. The cakes were topped by an array of beautifully made items that had figured in my life including, a steam train, a bass drum and sticks, a pipe band feather bonnet, branded items from my career as sales rep in the liquor industry, a range of vegetables including capsicums (we were commercial growers) a rotisserie chicken (my favourite bbq meal) and finally a lucky Irish shamrock! The rotisserie chicken was a masterpiece and very well made and I am amazed at the creativity of Kelly and her cake making skills!

The R&Rs and walking stick

An attempt to meet everyone for a personal chat and to thank everyone personally for their generous gifts became quite a mission and as we had to vacate the hall and car park for a pre-booked wedding I just ran out of time. One of my dearest friends and his Wife who I have known for 5 decades or more and had been involved socially on so many occasions in the past had been invited. Our families had grown up together, we had marched many a mile in the pipe band together and we were known to one another's children as Uncle Brian or Uncle Roly and Auntie Ren, so it was fitting that they could attend. As usual their presents were well thought out offerings and for my 70th and in anticipation of future knee surgery coming up, they presented me with a walking stick, complete with warning bell and Learner Plate! Roly has also written a poem about the walking stick and although I intended reading it at the gathering, I managed to forget this important function. I have pleasure in presenting the "Ode to a Walking Stick" right here!

Your Knees Are Going To Have Repair

So You can Walk, From Here To There

This Stick I hope Will Help A Bit

To Stop You Falling In The Shit!

                                    Signed "Shake a Spear"

On reflection, now I know why I didn't read it out at the party!

I was overwhelmed with the generosity of spirit and the incredible efforts by my family and friends to make this a special day. Their inspired presents were all very creative and I could see that much thought had gone into their production and I will treasure each one always. Some of the presents included a framed front Page of the NZ Herald 30th September 1942, the framed collection outlining the 1942 value of 3 pence (including a 1942 3d and 3d stamp) as compared to 2012 currency, The framed collection of Family members, to the variety of vouchers, dvds, orchids, wine, etc that made me feel very humble indeed. As I opened a present from my Brothers, I thought I was getting a replacement wallet, but on closer inspection I exclaimed" But I haven't got an Amazon Kindle!" I have now!! And of course my new Galaxy phone, which is going to be a challenge to operate in the short term. I have suggested that once I have mastered all the appliances, I should be able to fly a 747 too!

"Ramsey"

And finally my own knitted Teddy Bear made especially for me by my Aunt Ngaire who passed away earlier in September. This little fellow is named "Ramsey" and will accompany me on my trips around New Zealand when I will keep a photographic record of us together.

Highlights of the day? Well there were just too many to remember. The Joy of celebrating with my Family, both young and old, the pleasure of seeing children having fun and interacting with one another, reminiscing about childhood antics with my brothers and sister, meeting up with my own Children, Grandchildren, Cousins, Family In Laws, Nieces and all the other associations that make for a close Family

Lowlights, The Absence of my Youngest Son and his Family from Australia,

The day just FLEW by and in all the excitement, we didn't think to programme a family group photo. Perhaps this could be the excuse for another Family Gathering real soon!