Dear Graham

(It’s Graham’s birthday on Thursday so I’m going to take the week off from design and devote this blog to the man I love.  Next week back on to design.  Wouldn’t you like to know more about my better half?)

Graham, you entered the world three weeks early, rested up in an incubator for a couple of days to garner your lung power, and from then onwards proceeded to use them very lustily. I think there must be some India rubber that made its way into your being in that incubator, as you’ve bounced through life with verve and vitality ever since emerging from its confines.

As you can see, a chocolate cupcake on your first birthday received your seal of approval. It’s clearly indicative of a desire to grab life in both hands and savour it.

Over the years, your enjoyment of far-off places grew as you travelled back to your roots in Africa. Annual trips were made to visit your South African family; they were memorable, family times. Remember the year you climbed Kilimanjaro en route there with Dad, Lindsay and Brian? Your focus and determination were evident in the serious training you embarked on beforehand.

You were very physical as a boy and loved wrestling with your father – even with your long-suffering grandfather. Reading was a pleasure acquired much later, when you finally learned to sit still. Then it became a passion. Other loves were/are soccer, basketball, baseball, rugby, football, (tennis somewhat – I sense a lasting grudge about tennis camp one summer), and golf – in fact anything with a ball in it. Sometimes these activities resulted in black eyes and broken bones, bravely borne injuries for the price of pleasure. It’s double the pleasure if played, or discussed, or watched with Dad. I love the Niners victory dance – but oh, the misery of their defeat appears to cause physical pain to both of you that’s not very bravely borne.

You’ve always had a great capacity for fun. I love your sense of humour and ability to make me laugh, with your wonderful knack of seeing silliness in situations. And don’t let’s forget your various accents from around the globe, your specialties being French, Italian, Indian, Pacific Rim – and a Cockney parrot. “Thank you, please come again!”

You are a nurturer with a big heart, looking after those in need and those you love with compassion, kindness and consideration. How many long-drop toilets did you build in the Dominican Republic, and how many games of Scrabble did you play with your grandmother? You make our world a better place because you’re in it.

Dearest Graham,

There’s never a doubt that your glass has always been more than half full; in fact, to mix metaphors, your cup generally overfloweth!

May you always remain the positive, loving, fun person that you are, no matter what life presents you – and may the years ahead bring you much love, joy and success in return.

Growing older is unavoidable,

Growing up is optional.

Always stay young at heart.

HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Love, Mom