Journeyman » family

A glorious weekend

Journeyman — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 12:32:16 +0000

Tany’s parents came to visit this weekend. So, on Saturday morning, after a hack around a local par-3 golf course, we took a picnic to West Wycombe before heading in the evening to Thame for dinner. Perfect weather, good company and a couple of nice photographs.

Christmas celebration

Journeyman — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 13:11:27 +0000

Hello

Did you have a good Christmas?

We’ve had a wonderful time and survived the potential disaster of mixing parental units. We were wondering what we were going to do for our first Christmas as a married couple, not wanting to upset any of the parents. As it was, things went really well as my mum and dad came across to join Tany’s folks on Christmas day. With extended family we had 12 people sat around the dinner table. I think it was my favourite Christmas yet. There’s something about having people around to celebrate with.

I’m aware that it’s not the same for all families. I have one colleague who says that putting some of his family together is creating the excuse for World War 3, but I like the fact that even when it can be tough getting together, this season provides the excuse and there can be some surprising results.

The following song makes me smile because it reminds me that not all families are as straightforward as mine, but even with a wild mix of characters, joy can be found in each other’s company.

Birthdays and more wedding stuff

Journeyman — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 22:00:31 +0000

This weekend we managed to tick a whole load of stuff off the list of to-dos for the wedding. We’ve sorted out who needs to be where during the day and think we have most of the transport covered. The rings were collected, suits booked, cake designed and stands ordered (now we just need to find a rugby playing bride and groom to sit on the top) and Tany packed and moved up here to Horsleys Green.

We shifted a very full car this morning, unloaded at the flat and than charged out to a family friend’s 60th birthday. I’ve seemingly known David for most of my adult life and he’s spent most Easter and Christmas holidays with my parents and me. Today, with about 100 other freiends, we celebrated his birthday. There was a meal, singing, poetry (a particular poem about some people being old at 40 while others are still young at 73, is something I want to remember and track down at some point) and some brilliant music; and then David shared what it meant to have friends and family as well as knowing a real relationship with God.

Strange, as we left I couldn’t help think that this was exactly the kind of birthday party Jesus would have loved. There were people from work, artists and poets, religious leaders (a couple of CofE vicars), friends and family all sat around meal tables talking and sharing life with each other. New friendships were made and old ones reaquainted, sad and happy stories were told and all the glory, honour and praise was given to God.