Written on Sunday 11th November, 1979, posted to me at 27 Laburnum Street, Brighton, Victoria 3186.  (We were renting a house prior to buying our own in Roslyn Street.  It was posted from 9 Henry Street, Waverley, NSW 2024 - she was staying with Ian and Lisa, I think?  Dad was in Angola).  The envelope says “To be open (sic) on the 15th.”

My Darling Sandra,

A letter to my lovely Daughter, who today reaches the wonderful age of 30, the middle 10 years to come now, the starting of the half way years.   You look back on those years you have had already, and you can honestly say to yourself, I have been a happy child, a happy teenager, and now have come to the happy woman stage.  As you know, when our babies are placed in our arms, for the first time, we start to think for them, what will they be, we pray for happiness for them, to always have lose near, and around them, and I would say, that for you, my prayers have been answered.   The happiness you have had, and have got, far outweighs any unhappiness you have had, or may get.  To reach the age of 30 years old, to be able to be young with Joshua - a child, a woman with the man you love, and still regardless to age - our Daughter, sometimes my little girl, sometimes my lovely friend, sometimes even, my Mother.  

In watching you over the years, has been a wonderful time for Dad and I, you are the one, that really hasn’t taken much bringing up, and as I see you now, we are very proud, and happy, to call you our very own.  We are all very lucky to be a part of a part, of Dad, of Susan, of Ian, of Darling Joshua, of our wonder Gerald boy.   You have worked hard at growing up, Sandra, and you are to be congratulated, Dad and I would say, you have done it.

We love you, all of us, your family and hundreds of your friends, my lucky girl.  Have a lovely Birthday, I wish I was with you now.  God Bless now, and always

As Always, Your

Mam and Dad xxxx xxxx