Family is everything to me.

Today we had a small celebration lunch for my parents Diamond Wedding Anniversary, which was on Thursday. It was wonderful to have my husband, my sons and their partners, and my brother and partner there with my parents, and we did have a laugh. We made wonderful memories.

My parents were very tired by the time we left. It's made me realise they are aging fast, and I just wish I could stop time moving onwards. But today I got a couple of videos and lots of  up to date photos of my parents together......and mum is smiling. She doesn't like her picture being taken so it's hard to get her to smile when we point a camera at her. She really laughed today, and we captured those moments. Dad is always the joker, so it's easy to get him to smile fortunately. Getting them to pose together in a picture is another challenge, but we actually managed that too. 😀

I think today was important because I am aware that my parents won't be here forever, much as I'd like them to be. My Aunty Val's death two weeks ago has made me realise that I have so few photos of anyone close to me, in spite of having a camera on my mobile and all the media sites I belong to. I happily snap away at my cats, and the scenery around us if we are out, but don't take enough family photos. It's funny that in this day of selfies and snapchat and Instagram I am not quite up to scratch on clicking away. I think I am that in between age where I've used camera and used mobiles. My parents are the camera age group and my sons are the mobile age group. I just can't seem to get my act together on either. I know I add a photo to each of my blogs but I still don't take as many as the younger generation do. Gosh I'm sounding old! 

The support and love that shone around my parents today almost crackled in the air. My parents looked after my sons when they were small and I worked. The boys were pretty much brought up by them until school age. Both sons are very close to my parents. I could see the interaction and ease they have with mum and dad and it made me proud and full of love for them all. Grandparents are very important. They are a source of wisdom, influence and have a positive impact. I believe my sons realise that, because they go to my parents for all sorts of advice and help. I'm glad my parents are here for my sons. 

Our family is very close. My uncle, my father's brother, popped in to visit my parents today. It was just after lunch and we were all mellow and relaxed. He came in, and we had some great laughs and more photos and lots of chat and reminiscing. It was the ease with how we all were together that made me feel warm and happy and content. I know I am incredibly lucky. My family all get on well, and we phone and text each other regularly during each week. We make sure we are okay and give support if needed. Some people don't have this. People fall out, simply don't get on or dislike members of their family. We can't all get on in life but today I counted my blessings that we do. To me family is everything.