Wie geht's?
Before you know it, this happens:
Interesting that the same basic circular formation was replicated in Denver this year - with Jacky, who took that first photo, standing in for Keegan. That is - me at the top, then Adam, Jade, Samantha. I love the closeness in each family grouping. This was all done absolutely spontaneously - we all just formed into a tight knot for Adam's timed photo.
You can tell we love each other.
Quite rightly, what you don't see are all the early days hardships behind those family portraits. Jacky and I often wonder about how we survived those early days on one teacher salary with four young children under 7: trying to make payments, feed everybody, and learning by doing. There are no manuals for young families aside from what you know based on experience.
Luckily, Graham and Dulcie Purdy were superb role models for me, but still - mistakes happened often. Along the way, I aimed to learn from those mistakes and, having gone through difficult periods, those experiences have become badges of honour to some degree. We made it, and remain relatively sane.
As we become grandparents to the children of Adam, Jade and Samantha, I know we aim to do the best we can as Mema and Papa and pay forward the good role modelling into the next generation.
Love and peace - Papa
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