I'm sure I'm not alone among people with MND in being amazingly grateful on a significant day which after diagnosis I'd never expected to see. Our 40th wedding anniversary, which we celebrated a week ago, was one of those big days. All our family made it home for the big day. When we returned from church, there was a brand new pergola built in the garden awaiting us, with a rose and honeysuckle to go with it. A celebratory lunch with a rather fine wine followed. 
The week continued with a cream tea on Monday, a barbecue on Wednesday, and going to the ballet in London on Saturday. The last proved quite an adventure as we hadn't factored in an anti-Israel demonstration (no comment) which closed off all the roads from the A4 (which we were on) to Theatreland and created a tailback all the way to the Hammersmith Flyover (5 miles from our destination). Our satnav gave up the struggle, wanting us to continue the way we were heading, and so, with an hour and a half in hand, we made for the south - only to find Putney Bridge closed for repairs!
The long and the short of it is, having crossed south of the river, we made reasonable progress and arrived at The Coliseum a mere half hour late! There, at last, we found ourselves treated wonderfully well, whisked into a box in time to see the tail end of Act 1 and all of Acts 2 and 3 of Coppélia, which was great fun and lovely music. I must say that the staff at the theatre were consideration personified - and the facilities first-class. The ballet's going on tour in the autumn (the English National Ballet) and, if that's your sort of thing, I recommend it. It's a very optimistic production, beautifully but not fussily danced.
One more recommendation if you're looking for somewhere to eat in the Trafalgar Square area, try the St Martin's Crypt - accessible, atmospheric, reasonably priced and not too crowded. Our good friends from Wimbledon took us there after the performance.
And in case you're wondering, the journey home was a breeze - well, for me. Jane of course was driving, and I have to say she's a match for any London cabby!
Wishing you and Jane every imaginable blessing on your 40th anniversary. What lovely celebrations you had. I used to love this on Thought for the Day, many years ago and it applies to yourself and Jane and all of us
ReplyDelete" THe steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning, new every morning, great is Thy faithfulness O Lord, Great is Thy faithfulness"
They use to close by singing that and I loved it then and still do.
Many blessings to you both.
Thanks, Ann. That was my mother's favourite hymn.
DeleteI was in the middle of an e-mail to you Michael, having received an e-mail link from you when we got home for a walk in Derbyshire this evening. However, having referred to your blog I felt I must send our congratulations to both you and Jane. You certainly seem to have had a wonderful week but then there is much to celebrate after 40 years.
ReplyDeleteBoth Chris and I enjoyed reading the above and I can empathise in some ways with your dependency on Jane for I know my lifestyle would have been so much worse without Chris. In fact I am pretty certain I would not be here had she not been around on one or two occasions. Marriage is wonderful and like you I am always aware of what wonderful wives we both have.
May God bless you both in the years ahead, I shall write more by e-mail.
Rob and Christine
Thank you, Rob. I seem to remember the good book says, 'Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion.' We've both proved it's true!
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