Just finished a day of celebrations for my Dad's 90th birthday - a memorable day in the beautiful sunshine with all his friends and family around him. He taught me to love sport for its own sake and for the thrill of competition itself, not just to revel in victory, for which I am eternally grateful. He also led by example, being an athlete, an all-round sportsman, then a coach until his early eighties. He's the funniest man I know, whether he intends it or not, and regularly reduces me to helpless laughter. He can regularly hit 300 at Scrabble - if I can do that in ten years time, let alone thirty, I'll be well happy. His devotion to my Mother, especially during the last ten years, as her health has deteriorated has been extraordinary. I count myself very fortunate to have he and Mum still around in their nineties and as another season ends and the game we love and the team we adore slip for a while into the background, I always reflect at this time, and especially today, on the richness of life, the love of family and friends, the blessing of good health and what truly matters as we make our way day by day. Lucky, lucky boy.
That's really something Tewkes, I love it, a few lines scrolled out, that when read reignite the fact that there is still an appreciation for life itself.. beautifully said.
Thanks everyone. I was a little 'tired and emotional' when I wrote this last night, but looking at it today I wouldn't change a word. He was never what you'd call a regular watcher, Captain B - he was always too busy coaching and officiating at athletics meetings, his first sporting love - he was chairman of Dartford Harriers for ten years and has been associated with the club for over 60 years. The last time he came down was the opener against Swansea three or four seasons ago and even though it was August, he damn near froze and said that was his last game! Absolutely right, Super.
