Maybe I'm amazed

Mothering Sunday sees a small family party off in search of fun. We visit a stately home and picnic in its grounds …

Our eldest grandson spots an adventure playground and takes me across to explore.  At first it's just him climbing up one or two frames and swinging on a rope.

But then we discover the maze and there's no stopping him now! Into tunnels, across rickety bridges, up the climbing rope and down the slide, all the time with me in breathless pursuit.

Then, right at the very heart of the maze we chance upon a small playground complete with a grandson-sized helter-skelter.

But how are we to get out?  Grandson and I stumble across a path across the very top of the maze toward the playground we started off in.  And from there it's just a short slide down to rejoin the rest of the party.

We walk together round the gardens, stopping from time to time to take in the scenery.

Maybe I'm amazed, but oh what deep, deep joys to be found in the simple pleasure of a day out with my family!!

Ceremony

Our son loves to help. That's why he does volunteer work, twice a week, at the local Community Centre just down the road from where he lives.

Whenever I pick him up on a Saturday to take him to see his beloved Aston Villa the first thing he always wants to tell me about is what he's done at work.  Clearing away the chairs, sweeping the floor, tidying up outside - these may seem small things to you and I, but to Ben they are important. They give him a role, a purpose, a real sense of belonging.

And they love him, too at the Community Centre.

We visited there just a few weeks ago for a very important event. What a cheer Ben got when he went to pick up an award for his volunteering work. One proud young man, two very proud parents!!

You don't have to be ...

Do you know what?

You don't have to be rich to be happy. You don't have to be clever or handsome or a particular colour or a particular orientation.  Or live in a special place or have a special job.

All you need to do is to be you.

Here's our son celebrating his 28th birthday. He's learning disabled, but that has never stopped him enjoying life to the full. He is not limited by his disability, nor is he defined by it. He is just who he is and we're all very proud of him.