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30th Wedding Anniversary – Pearl

8th July 1977 – was the day that Mary and I were married in Peterhead, Scotland. So we celebrated our Pearl wedding anniversary yesterday. 30 years is a by some measures a very long time and in the light of the current fashion could be seen as quite an achievement. So many weddings end in separation long before this stage these days.

However, back to yesterday – it certainly was a very special day for Mary and I. Our family had decided to surprise us by taking us out for Sunday dinner at the Marcliffe Hotel and Spa. What a lovely thought and gesture. It was so nice to enjoy their company over a very relaxed meal. Here is a photo taken just after the meal in the gardens at the hotel.

family Pearl Anniversary
In the photo you can see Mary and I surrounded by our family – each of whom we are very proud of indeed! they are from right to left, Linda, Fiona and her husband Richard, Philip is the baby of the family and is the one on lying on the ground πŸ˜‰

What a special day this was when we had the chance to reflect of the product of 30 years of marriage. Some people might measure success and achievement based on material possessions but in our case we put much more emphasis on the things that really matter to us. We share a real sense of pride, contentment and joy in seeing our children growing into great adults. We look around the world and see some many situations where people are full of discontent and unhappiness and feel privileged to be surrounded by these people who are full of love, caring and humor. We have so much to be grateful for and feel genuinely blessed to have such a caring and loving family.

Any reader of this might think that we have had 30 years of ‘plain sailing’, of course life is peppered with good and not so good times – but we do focus on the good things that have happened which helps when we have deal with a not so good time.

Whilst writing this post, I was reminded of the words of an old hymn called “Count Your Blessings” which are as follows:

When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Words Johnson Oatman Jr

If you want to read the rest, click here.

Now we look to the future and many more times of celebration such as this was.

Thanks again to for wonderful and memorable day!

Here is a bible passage which is often used at weddings – it describes what love is –

1 Corinthians Ch 13

which is what I believe Mary have for each other.

Michael & Kathryn’s Wedding

I attended a family wedding with my wife Mary on Saturday 9th June 07. As you might expect I took my camera along and took a few photos. I decided to publish them on the Web so that folks can see them and take copies of they want.

To view the two Photo Albums that I published please drop me an email as I have taken them off line to save some space.

Phils Baptism

Friday 1st June was a special day for my family. It was the day that my son Philip was Baptised. He decided that he wanted to be baptised but not using the normal method which is common in the Church of Scotland. Conventional service of this type are held in the church. Phils service started in the church and ended down at the River Don. Here are some pictures of the act of baptism – I will follow this post up with some further information.


Getting into the water – very cold!


Rev John Renton, Phil and me getting ready for the big moment.


Phil completely emersed


Job done.

A very happy and proud moment for all concerned.

More of this later πŸ˜‰

Click here to see more Photos