Time marches on

Apart from being the edge of the "silly season" I am at that time in my life when rites of passage are happening all over the place.
My niece's engagement, my great-niece's baptism, my godson's wedding, earlier in the year my eldest's 21st...and so it goes on.
Saturday we went to a 21st of the 2nd son of my best man, Peter. We have been friends for 35 years and kept generally in touch. What impressed me was to see, as you do on these occasions, the gathered family.
Peter was one of two sons, his brother died. Like it or lump it there is a deep vein of sadness in that family to this day about that eventwhich happened long before we met. But Saturday night the family was gathered and the patriarch and matriarch, both looking the same as they have always done....but ready to go home by 8.30, were able to see Peter and his four sons. One daughter in law, and one fiancee. And the pride and joy one great grandson...who looks exactly like the four boys did!!
I could not help but think that despite the unspoken sadness of a lost son, there is much to be thankful for.
Lest we think this is a soppy paeon to family life, let me also say that this family is totally whacky. With the birthday boy best known for break-dancing and backwards-somersaults.
None of them are quite where we thought they would be...and thank goodness for that.