Super low tide. Super calm ocean. Right down on the point at the fishing pier, a surprise on a lamp post.

The card reads “Dear *Keith, Happy Birthday. I wish we could celebrate it like we used to, together.  We will celebrate apart, together in my heart, always.

I miss you. Love mum. xxx”

Sorry about the mist, there was something in my eye…

… born in tenderness, grown in union, thrive in companionship, dies in neglect. 

… becomes so big, it consumes. 

… what remains is embers.  

… gives so little, takes so much, leaves nothing

…where does it go,  when it leaves?

… I discovered  new things.

I discovered that the first mate came 12th in the regional Interschool cross country.

2 weeks ago.

I didn’t even know there WAS a cross country race that day.

I discovered that he came third in the Interchess tournament rounds.

That were hosted by his own school.

3 weeks ago.

I discovered that both events were covered by the press and had been published in the Sunday newspapers.

2 weeks ago.

That I never read.

And when I mentioned them to him, he said “Oh, yeah”.

I wonder if I went a bit too far in teaching him not to be boastful?