The Kindness of Family

For my 60th birthday, my wife and children organised for a secret weekend away in deepest Norfolk and festooned me with gifts, based around The List.

It was one of the most poignant moments of my life. I won't bother to list everything that was given to me but it was easily the most gifts I've ever received (and that includes childhood). Some of the gifts were lovely - a diabolo for the circus skill; the two writing pads for the sonnet; the OS map for the Hadrian's wall walk - and some of them were grotesque - the leg waxing strips, baseball cap and cowboy outfit spring to mind.

That doesn't matter. It was, quite simply, truly a moment in which the thoughtfulness of my family towards me was writ large. Strangely, though, I wasn't moved to tears, as I normally am with kindnesses. What I felt was warmth, acceptance and valuing of me. I felt both complete and humble. There was no need for tears..

Thank you.