Mum's 75th birthday

 

Hi there mum

Happy, happy birthday.  What a wonderful milestone. A great opportunity to reflect on the full and meaningful life you've lived so far and look forward to the years ahead. Thank you for being such a wonderful mum, I honestly couldn't have asked for a better one.  It's not a surprise that you're so loved by your all your family and life-long friends. It comes from being the beautiful, generous, loving person you are.  Hope you have a wonderful, special day.

Love

G

Mum and Mike's 20th wedding anniversary

A beautiful card by Jo.

 

Matt gets 5 A's for matric

 What an extraordinary achievement made even more incredible when one considers the difficult circumstances with COVID and distant learning.

Sam 21st birthday

 Hi there dear Sam

Happy happy 21st birthday. I feels like only yesterday I came to South Africa to see my beautiful baby niece. How wonderful it’s been to see you grow up into the amazing, extraordinary woman you are today - so full of intelligence, depth and fun. May the next stage of your life journey bring you a treasure trove of love, wonder, adventure and joy. We all love you so much.   Ps. Hope your party last night was amazing! I did so love the video Jo made for you. 

G

My 50th birthday

 

Happy Birthday to my very special son Graeme Myburgh who who has given me so much joy, happiness and pride for 50 years.  Mum

Dinner at Garfish

Gift from Aimee

Happy big birthday to the most genuine, warm, funny, honest, amazing guy! Thank you for all the fun adventures, photo expeditions and D&M chats. I’m hoping there are many more to come. Happy birthday Graeme Myburgh.   Elna

What a blessing you are, my other son, Graeme. I hope you are enjoying all of your birthday. And it's not finished yet, is it..? Much love from your Aussie Mum, Jilly.

Happy Birthday dear Graham. I wish you great joy, ease and peace in your life. May the light of your heart always shine brightly. Thank you for being the kind generous loving man that you are with a generous sprinkling of cheekiness. Live live and hugs.   Shushann

Dearest Graeme. Happy birthday to my dear friend. I am so thankful to have you in my life and having our wonderful friendship where we can truly be ourselves!   Xenia

 

Dear Graeme. May you be showered with great blessings on your 50th. Thank you for being the kind and generous friend you are.  Looking forward to more walks into the awe and beauty of nature.    Shushann

Sam's matric dance

Next morning !

Mum's 70th birthday

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Dear mum

Happy birthday!  Happy 70 years young.

I feel so blessed to have you as my mum.  You have always been such a vital force in my life. Always there to talk to. Always ready to listen. Always ready to encourage. And always there to support us and love us no matter what.  

You've inspired me in so many ways ...
- your extraordinary, amazing, incredible  generosity of spirit
- your readiness to help anyone in need
- your warm heartedness and natural friendliness
- your resilience in the tough times
- the way you value and nurture your friendships
- your common sense
- your delicious cooking
- your being the most adoring, doting Granny in the world
- your readiness to learn new computer tricks
- your enthusiasm for all you get involved in
- and so much more

What a journey life is - a winding path of ups and downs; joys, adventures and challenges.  Thank you for the vital role you've played on my journey; for starting me on it, for teaching me to walk and run and climb, for encouraging and helping me on the uphills, for contributing to the joys and sharing in the wonders along the way.  Thank you for being the best mum I could ever ask for.  Thank you for being You.

Love
G

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Dear mum

There is no way I can really capture everything that has happened in your 70 years in one book but I hope that this gift gives you a small taste of all that you have achieved and experienced.  I have loved making it and reliving some of my favourite childhood memories.

We are all truly blessed to have you in our lives.  You have always been there to support me, both physically and emotionally -  in person and over the phone and, of course, via Whats App!  You are always ready to drop anything to come to the rescue if there is a crisis.

The first thing that stands out for me is your amazing baking - there was always a batch of crunchies at the ready when we got home from school (and recently your winning choc chip cookies) - and the way you always got involved with my school fetes.

I still remember those amazing teddies in a bed you used to make and the incredible dolls clothes you sewed for me.  That suitcase of dolly clothes is still one of my best presents ever received.

It has to be said that the parties you threw for G and I were the best.  Everyone with their own glitter crown and party box with their names on.  Let’s not forget my magical butterfly cakes that I asked you to make year after year.

Thank you for the incredible newsy letters that kept me going throughout my overseas trips and for all the special holidays you have taken us on.

Thank you for loving my children and being such a softie and spoiling them. I love that you are the best mother-in-law to Antony and an incredible friend to Liz, Wendy, Judy, and Barbara to name a few.

I am so proud that you are always pitching in and getting involved whether it be on the Woodsider Magazine, bar duty, project Daphne or making soup for whoever needs it in your neighbourhood.

I am so glad that you got to find happiness a second time after dad died.  You had inner strength that was inspirational to all of us.

I wish you all the health, happiness, love, laughter, sunshine and roses for the next chapter of your life.  Know that you are loved very much and you mean the world to us.

With all my love
Jo

 

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Matt's first day of high school

Matt's final couple of days of prep school

Matt dressed in a suit for the first time to attend his school farewell evening.  He looked so very smart.

Jo and Antony celebrate 19 years together

19 years ago today, I said "I do"  There has been lots of adventure, excitement, new experiences, 2 amazing children, exhaustion, exhilaration, ups, a few downs, happiness, contentment and love.

I don't think we look any different in the pics!  Ok, a few more grey hairs and kilograms but otherwise, just the same!!!!

Kyle gets married to Alana

From Kyle

Hello my long lost Aunt!

Thank you so much for the kind words that my mom read to us in her speech at the wedding. It was a very beautiful sentiment and much appreciated. It was such a wonderful day/night on all levels, couldn't have gone any better really. It definitely made me a bit sad in that our family is so far apart and rarely, if ever, get to see each other, but I know that in our hearts we are always there for each other. I hope that someday soon we can all get together and have a proper catch up, and I can meet some of my cousins, second cousins, and whoever else I haven't seen in all these years! I hope you are all doing well, and please pass along my hellos to the rest of the gang over there. Alanna and I are off to Belize for a few weeks to honeymoon, should be a good one! Lots of love, 

Kyle

Kyle and Alanna get engaged

Congratulations, guys!

Meeting Gavin at Mount Kosciuszko

Hi Gavin.

Sorry I didn't get to say goodbye this morning. It was so great to meet you. Thanks for making our trip so fun and memorable - I haven't laughed so much in a long time. Your zest for life is infectious and your story telling borders on genius - what an amazing skill you have. Glad you got back safe. I'll send you a link to the photos on Saturday.

 Cheers. Graeme

Jo's 40th birthday

Thanks for the photos, Jo.

Mack and Liza

It's been exactly one year since Liza came into Mack's life.  What a great day that was, especially for Mack who is now rarely alone.  In fact, he lives the life of a king, with so many people who love him, including me, Liza and her mum and brother and many of Liza's clients and my new housemates, Sue and Alex.  I think he must be one of the most loved dogs in Sydney.  He deserves it after the hard life he had to start with.

To celebrate the day, Liza left a happy anniversary card in my letter box this morning which I thought was sweet.  It's her birthday tomorrow.  Mack is with her for the next four days and as part of the extended birthday and anniversary of Mack, she's spending a few nights in a dog friendly hotel.  As I said, Mack is a little king.  Spoiled rotten and loving every minute of it.

Jo's letter & gift on my 40th

Gift from Jo

Jo's beautiful pillow case that she sent to me on my birthday.

Letter from Jo

Dear Graeme

I hope that you have a fantastic 40th birthday today. May this be the start of a new chapter in your life that is filled with love, wonder, excitement, passion, creativity and contentment. You deserve every good thing that comes into your life!

Thanks for being such a special brother. You were always the patient one, giving me gentle encouragement and support when I needed it. You are going to make / and already are a fantastic teacher. You had it in you from many years back.

We shared so much together growing up. Sunday morning escapades, lots of laughs, secrets and chocolates eaten on the sly. I remember drinking milk with you, then spinning round making ourselves so dizzy and laughing so much that it ended up coming out of my nose!!! Christmas with the Culley's, then the Rusconi's, camping trips that I was jealous not to be able to come on and spending hours playing lego, marbles and Marco Polo in the pool. I remember Sunday roasts"with" "Granny' Doris, "white"cheese sandwhiches eaten at Muizenberg with grandpa and waiting in Dad's car in the parking lot while he combed his hair after surfing - while 10 drivers waited for his spot!!

Dinners to Casanova with Granny and Grandpa Freeway and eating Italian kisses. The joy of cycling round to their Epworth Road house and sleeping over, Granny's crispy roast potatoes and lumpy custard. Mom, who was always there for us, making sure we had everything we needed. Friday nights at Youth and then all the lovely, hysterically funny letters you wrote to me while I was overseas I remember your face through the hospital glass when you saw Sam for the first time. I love the fact that you wear your heart on your sleeve and show emotion - both happy and sad.

My only wish is that lived closer together and got to see more of each other but thank goodness for skype, e-mail and of course picasa!!! Once again, we will be thinking of you all day and I will even drink a dinky champagne in your honour.

With all my love
Joey