We as kids in the sixties had the most unbelievable childhood, and we
like to hope that we gave our own children the same glorious feelings,
memories, experiences and love.
But we are a tad concerned for our grandchildren, so for my
grandchildren (one day please I hope and pray !!) I'd like better for
you.
I'd really like for you to know about hand me down clothes and homemade
ice cream and peanut butter sandwiches. I really would.
I hope you learn humility by being humiliated, and that you learn
honesty by being cheated.
I hope they learn to make your own beds and mow the lawn and wash the
car.
And I really hope nobody gives you a brand new car when you are
sixteen.
It will be good if at least one time you can see puppies born and your
precious old dog put to sleep.
I hope you get a black eye fighting for something you believe in.
I hope you have to share a bedroom with your younger brother/sister.
And it's all right if you have to draw a line down the middle of the
room,but when he wants to crawl under the covers with you because he's
scared, I hope you let him.
When you want to see a movie and your little brother wants to tag
along, I hope you'll let him.
I hope you have to walk uphill to school with your friends and that you
live in a town where you can do it safely.
On rainy days when you have to catch a ride, I hope you don't ask your
driver to drop you two blocks away so you won't be seen riding with
someone as uncool as your Mom.
If you want a slingshot, I hope your Dad teaches you how to make one
instead of buying one.
I hope you learn to dig in the dirt and read books.
When you learn to use computers, I hope you also learn to add and
subtract in your head.
I hope you get teased by your friends when you have your first crush on
a boy\girl, and when you talk back to your mother that you learn what
ivory soap tastes like.
May you skin your knee climbing a mountain, burn your hand on a stove
and stick your tongue on a frozen ice cube.
I don't care if you try a beer once, but I hope you don't like it. And
if a friend offers you dope or a joint, I hope you realize he is not
your friend.
I sure hope you make time to sit on a porch with your Grandma/Grandpa
and go fishing with your Uncle.
May you feel sorrow at a funeral and joy during the holidays.
I hope your mother punishes you when you throw a cricket ball through
your neighbor's window and that she hugs you and kisses you at
Christmas time when you give her a plaster mold of your hand.
These things I wish for you - tough times and disappointment, hard work
and happiness.
It's the only way to appreciate life.
Hi Margaret,
your story about the loo roll struck such a chord that I had to write
back
with a similar story. Excuse the slightly coarse nature, but believe it
or
not it is a true story.
We had visiting relatives who were equally horrified at the abrasive
nature
of our bog roll. After about a week, we heard them referring to 'John
Wayne'
in our loo. When we quizzed them, they laughingly informed us that they
were
calling the recycled Zim bogroll "John Wayne' because it was ' rough
and
tough and didn't take s#*t from anybody!'
Thanks for bringing back a good memory,
AUBREY PAKENHAM, loving husband of Ceta, beloved father of Chris, Sheri
and Carol and grandad of Kirsty, Ashleigh and James, passed away 2nd.
September.
Life Member of Wildlife & Environment Zimbabwe (WEZ)
Member of the Society since the Fifties.
He was instrumental in forming the Matabeleland Branch in 1972.
Chairman of the Matabeleland Branch 1972 - 1975 and 1980 - 1985.
Hon. Vice President since 1979.
He participated in Game Counts since 1976, including mini/ranch counts.
Instrumental in setting up Tshabalala Game Sanctuary 1976.
Worked with Peter Rollason on Wildlife Forum for 25 years.
knowledgeable lover of wildlife and "all things bright and beautiful"
You will be sorely missed, Aubrey, by all of us.
From: All staff and members of Wildlife & Environment Zimbabwe (WEZ)
countrywide.
AUBREY PACKENHAM
Please could you pass my deepest condolences to Ceta on the loss of
Aubrey.
Known them for many a long day, we lived in the same road Weir Avenue
and
Ceta was one of the first people I met when arriving with my parents in
the
then Rhodesia in 1948..
Thank you
Jean Tuckey and family
MARGARET PARKINSON - Died peacefully and so unexpected on the 16th
August 2004. Loving wife and best friend of Dave, wonderful mom to Lisa
and Tracy and doting grandmother to Natasha. Maragret/Mom was a very
brave lady and will be missed very much.
