This is a little book “Speaking of Fathers, warm and witty thoughts about a Very Special Guy” April Edition, which I sent to my Dad from Brisbane, Queensland on 20th May 1976 – he and Mom were still n Africa, and it was a bit late for his birthday (born 12th May 1921). I think I sent it with a friend who was in Australia on holiday.   The pages are filled with notes in my writing telling him how grateful I am and how much I love him, and the inscription on the flyleaf reads:

“For my darling Daddy – The very first man I ever loved – to tell you in some small way, how that love has grown with the years, and will always continue to.  

I miss you, so very desperately, and wish I was accompanying this little book, across the miles to you.  Savour each word, feel me close, and know the greatness, the depth of my love.  Thank you fo being “My Daddy”.  God Bless you, love Sandra xxx”

A Poem from that book ….

When I am gone, it makes no difference what becomes of the material things I have accumulated in this world.  But there is a wealth that I would like to leave behind with my children.  If I can accomplish this, my life will have been profitable beyond any treasure that money can buy.

I hope to leave my children with a sense of their own worth in this world.  I want them to value their own lives as the precious possessions they are, that they may live the fullness of their days in a way that makes life more full for those around them.

I want to leave my children an appreciation of work – not just for the earnings work can bring – but work for work’s sake.  There have been few times in my life when I have been happier than when deeply involved in what I thought to be a worthwhile task.

And I want to leave them the ability to let go, to be a little foolish, sometimes.  I want them to be able to look in the mirror once in a while and have a good laugh at themselves.

I want to leave them with a curiosity that never dwindles with the mounting years, a sense of wonder, a childlike ability to believe – to believe in believing.

And I want to leave my children with the knowledge that they were loved completely, always, no matter what courses their lives were following.

I want to leave them love, that it may become the central force in their lives, flowing outward, flourishing wherever life may lead them.  Love that they will pass on as a legacy to their children, to their children’s children.

This happened about a month before Joshua was even conceived!   Today, 1st October 2020, these words resonate deeply with me and I know in my heart Joshua, our beautiful son, that you live these values and ideals.  If you should become a father, we know you will pass these on to your children - our grandchildren.  We are so proud of you Joshua, and we love you so much.