30 years went by, it seems like yesterday........

Hi everyone, this post is a walk down memory lane. 

Ever wondered where the time goes?

On the 2nd of July 1988 we welcomed our beautiful son into the world, it seems like yesterday, in the blink of an eye 30 years had passed.

Happy birthday my darling son.

I remember sitting in the leather chair by the window, the sun was shining as I put the finishing touches to this piece of needlework just before my son was born, it was only the second cross stitch I had ever stitched. I can't believe I chose such a complicated design but I loved every stitch. The designer was Paula Vaughan, I have many of her patterns and still love them as much today as I did then. 

A day to remember - 2nd July 1988

My first cross stitch was a Beatrix Potter sampler which I  stitched whilst pregnant, I left a space to put my child's name and weight, I do have it somewhere in my craft room and will show it when I find it. The stitches were a bit wonky but I learnt a lot whilst stitching it, the piece included Peter Rabbit, Mrs Tiggy Winkle and Jeremy Fisher amongst others.

Our son really loved the Beatrix Potter animals, they were a big part of his childhood, we read to him every night from the Beatrix Potter books and I can still remember his giggle so clearly.

One day we went for a walk in the woods and I pretended I had just seen Mrs Tiggy Winkle hiding behind a tree, I can still remember the look of wonder on his face........ as if it was yesterday.

Both grandparents had a very special wish, my Mother wanted a grand child with red hair and my Mother-in law wanted a boy, mmmm we hit the jackpot and both were so happy, my Mother and Mother-in Law both had red hair and there were no red headed grandchildren on my mothers side. His hair was really dark but the red was shining through and he had the most beautiful brown eyes you ever saw, I remember holding him........ as if it was yesterday.  

Today I looked through a keepsake box in my craft room, the contents were filled with items from my sons childhood, a blanket, a bear, a rabbit and a satchel with his initials carved into the leather, it took my breath away how fast the time has gone by, when you hold items in your hands from years ago the sense of being in that moment is quite overwhelming. All the items looked like new, the satchel was a little dusty, I wiped away the dust and held the rabbit and blanket and all the memories came flooding back......... as if it was yesterday.  

I remember when this photo was taken, we were at my sisters wedding when she  approached me and said "Lynn you must come over and take a photo of James, he is sat on the altar in the cutest way"!

We did not ask him to pose for this photo, he was just sat like this with his little hands on his top hat, I look at this photo many times and it always brings me joy when I look at it........ as if it was yesterday.  

   

This was another Paula Vaughan cross stitch design that I stitched around that time, I think it was called The Upstairs Sewing Room.

I need to get them re-framed. 

This sampler was stitched in 1994, I can still remember stitching this........ as if it was yesterday.

Last but not least, bo bo bear! Thirty Years Old, he sits on my dressing table in the guest bedroom. 

Recently I visited a neighbour we used to live next door to, she was one of the nicest neighbours we ever had. I was drawn to visit her out if the blue, I was in the area and felt an overwhelming draw to knock on her door. I walked up the back way and saw the gate was open to my old house, we lived there over twenty years ago. Nothing had changed, it had the same back gate, the same pvc door with roses in the glass, the same garden, everything was exactly the same. I stood there for a few moments and then in my thoughts I saw my son, he was three years old and running towards me calling "Hello Mummy", it took my breath away.......as if it was yesterday.

The neighbour was older and frail but we had a lovely chat about how she used to give my son chocolate over the garden wall when I wasn't looking, it really made me laugh!          

If I was to give any advice to my young self it would be to treasure every moment because you cannot believe how quickly that time goes by. 

He decided at the very young age of seven what he wanted to do in life, he achieved his career dream and we are proud of his achievements. 

I often ask myself would I have done anything different whilst bringing my child up, the answer is no, I would do everything exactly the same, I would not have changed a thing. 

 And suddenly…….

And suddenly a child is born, a gift from God to you,

He learns to walk, he learns to talk

And suddenly he’s two

As years go by, a young boy grows,

All bright, alert and alive,

He learns to read and write and suddenly he’s five.

And all the time it seems to be, he hardly changes…..when…..

He’s caught with Daddy’s work tie on

And suddenly - he’s ten

And through it all you watch this child,

The years have gently flown…

He turns to you to wave goodbye

And suddenly he’s grown. 

My Son

As you slept I took your hand

And thought of all the times

I held you as a baby

And read you nursery rhymes

Expressions of a lifetime

Unfolded as I prayed

Your little face how it has changed

But how your smile has stayed

I love you son just as the time I cradled you so tight

That very day I told you then

I whisper now tonight

My little boy how time has flown

And now a young man 

I’ll kiss your little fingers

And hold you when I can.

(Author: Muriel V Stephens Hufman)

“More than Words” 1993 

Happy 30th Birthday James

Love Mum and Dad

xx