Another week Dawns

 Thank you all SO much for your wonderful ,caring, loving ,comments and more. The flowers arrived, and so did the cards, from here in new Zealand, and across the oceans to the UK. 

These came from Jeanette, we have been  friends since 1954!!!  Our celebration had a sad tinge, as Trevor had passed away before they reached this milestone. These were such a surprise as Jeanette had sent a card the week earlier. We are so spoilt .

Lisianthus, rosebuds, hydrangea, foliage, and  all arranged   in lovely papers.

Next, this was from our son-in-law's Mum, Ann, way down in the far south. Again, she had also  lost  her husband , Russell, and this was so thoughtful, a lovely card  came in the post . Gerbera, sunflowers, hydrangea,  Lilies, ivy foliage and beautiful coloured tissue papers.

The family flowers included Lisianthus, snapdragon and white lilies,  and rosebuds, with ivy foliage. One week later, the flowers have been  put into a smaller crystal vase and still beautiful.

Next, we had a personal delivery by our local Mayor, with flowers from him and the council.

 The along came our friend Anne, with stunning Dahlias, hydrangeas in all colours from her own garden. By this time I had run out of suitable vases!!!

I knew more cards would be arriving, they did, one from our own Prime Minister Jacinda Adern, one from our Governor General Dame Cindy Kiro and  Dr Richard Davies, and then one from distant shores, a beautiful one from Elizabeth R,  our Queen.

 Through all of this, I have realised that reaching this milestone is a huge privilege, so many do not arrive at 60 years of marriage for one reason or another, and each day is a treasure.I am so thankful.

Quotation of the day, from Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet;

" And think not that you can direct the course of love, 

for love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course".

Greetings from Jean

Today, we celebrate 60 years of marriage.

 Good morning, we woke to sunshine, flowers delivered, cards, phone calls and emails.Thank you all so much for the lovely comments. This is a heavy photo overload!!!

February 17th, 1962.  There was also sunshine that day. 

We left from a friend's home in Papakura, my Dad's brother Mervyn Appleby drove us to the church, and we are met by the Rev  J L  Wilson.

The ceremony starts, my Dad still there to answer when asked " Who gives this woman to be married to this man?" and I am sure he replied " I do " .Very traditional words. The rest of the ceremony also followed the traditional wording, very seldom heard today.

We are now officially husband and wife, and sign the register, The best man, Trevor Shelley and bridesmaid, my cousin Judith Appleby then signed as witnesses.

We stopped for a photo outside, Des McKinstry, Pat Pearce ( Later to be married to Des) Janet Norman, (now married to Phil Brackfield, and living in the far south) Hugh and Jean, my cousin Judith Appleby and Best Man Trevor Shelley (sadly passed away a few years ago) .  The bridesmaid and flower girl all had dresses of pale lilac/mauve embroidered brocade, with scalloped necklines, and handmade roses on the  side . They had matching sprays in their hair and carried sweet sultan and stock. Janet had a small basket with her flowers arranged in it. 

With the proud parents, Neil and Muriel McKinstry, Hugh and Jean, and Grace and Eric Appleby .

The before photo, very serious men!!!

The afterwards delight, all smiling!!!

A full length photo, my Mum made my gown,  Chantilly lace over satin, a scalloped neckline, a full skirt with a scalloped border at the hem. The flowers were tuberoses, Stephanotis and carnations. My veil was " something borrowed" from my cousin  Ann Andrews,( nee Appleby) and sadly she passed away some years ago.

The happy couple.

We are having a quiet day at home,  after one Covid case in our small town appeared on Saturday , there are now  20, and today may be more. This is a lot in the total population of just 5,200 people. Family decided not to risk flying up or flying down,  the passengers may have been anywhere as a place of interest, or later become a close contact.

We will gather together later when travel is safer.

Tonight nearby friends will help us celebrate with Champagne and a cake!!!

Quotation of the day, author unknown

" Each day is a gift as we open  the door to a sunrise ,

Celebrate and enjoy every moment until 

nightfall darkens the sky" 

Greetings from Jean

Today and Tomorrow

 After a long time away, I am here again.

As promised, the golden lilies bloomed gloriously, tall, golden, and so many flowers on each tall stem

       

This was the bloom on New Year's Day, 2022, early in the morning. This gives you an idea of the height and the number of blooms, I lost count.                                                                                                         

The days have been different, with Covid and Omicron cases rising to almost 1000 , there has been a huge group of protestors camped out on the grass below Parliament House in Wellington, vehicles parked illegally, blocking main streets, verbal abuse to passers by including a young student for wearing masks, protestors in other areas copying the massive protest on the border between Canada and the USA. Our Defence Force, together with the Police, will stand by the tow truck operators to start and remove vehicles very soon. The general opinion is, stop it immediately when the first tent was pitched, as slowly more and more came, the rain fell, their flags were hoisted, and police formed a barricade to prevent them entering Parliament House.I will not tarnish this post with a photo of the chaos.

Tomorrow marks a milestone in our lives, as on February 17th, 1962, Hugh and I were married in the Presbyterian Church at Papakura,. Photos will be posted tomorrow, no celebrations/ balloons, meals out or family here, as Covid has arrived to our small town, 5 so far, but that could increase any time. Flying up or down to gather together is too risky.The main excitement will be a doctor's visit, the second of 3 weekly ones, as she tries to reduce my blood pressure tablets and get the BP to an acceptable higher level.Some days it is way TOO low, what a change from 3 years ago.

Meantime the sunflowers have started to put on the usual summer show, including a busy bee determined to try each flower in turn. The stems are almost as tall as the lilies were.

The sewing and quilting has come to a halt, after we had a spell of scorching hot days, reaching a 34Celsius, then a sudden drop  to a lot lower cool spell.Now it seems that summer has almost gone, the mornings are so dark, lights are needed at 6 a.m. and curtains are drawn at night.

Quotation of the day, from Omar Khayyam

" Be happy for this moment.This moment is your life"

Greetings from Jean.