That's my lovely son Ian, photographed at Chatsworth yesterday afternoon - up by The Hunting Tower. How did he get to be thirty six years old? I composed another blogpost titled "Son" back in November 2005 not long after I began this blog. Go here.
His life has moved on considerably. He is now one of Britain's best known advocates for vegan cuisine with several popular vegan books behind him under the "Bosh!" label and he is now on the verge of buying a flat in Shepherd's Bush, West London. He remains the great lad he was back in 2005. The very core of him is still the same. Decent, kind and cheerful. His own man.
For years he had a smashing girlfriend but her mental ill-health drove them apart. He just could not handle it any more. After that, he mostly lived independently - quite monkish you might say. However, he finally brought someone new up to The Hunting Tower. It's Sarah. They have been together since last October and seem very happy in each other's company. Bless them.
They make a beautiful couple. Hope all goes well for them.
ReplyDeleteSomething good emerging from the pandemic. Thanks Frances senior.
DeleteHow lucky you are to have a son to be proud of YP. He is lucky, too, to have a father who isn't ashamed to sing his praises, and to have parents who taught him the value of decency and kindness. I wish him all the very best in his career and his personal life - Sarah looks a lovely girl and they make a very attractive couple
ReplyDeleteI will tell them that they have the CG seal of approval. Thank you for this lovely comment.
DeleteBest wishes to both of them. They look very happy there.
ReplyDeleteLike you and Lord P in your salad days.
DeleteHandsome. Must have his mother's looks. One of my nieces is in danger of losing her great partner because of her mental health issues. It is all very sad, but upwards and onwards for your son.
ReplyDeleteHe must have got his good looks from his mother as I look like Quasimodo.
DeleteI'm sure it makes you and Shirley happy to see him so grown up, well-adjusted and responsible!
ReplyDeleteHappy and proud. Thanks Steve.
DeleteLovely couple. I know you and Shirley must have been thrilled to see Ian and to meet Sarah. Great photos of them--of course, they are so photogenic.
ReplyDeleteMust admit it is always surprising to reflect on the ages of my children...the oldest is now 46 and the youngest 37.
And doesn't it all seem like yesterday Mary? Why can't we pull a handbrake and stop time in its tracks?
DeleteThey look very happy YP.
ReplyDeleteThey are both glad that they met each other Dave. Not easy in the time of COVID.
DeleteHe looks happy, they both look happy. I read your blog post about your son written in 2005, he sounds like a lovely, kind young man. We need more people like that in this world.
ReplyDeleteMental health is a struggle for so many, myself included, but ultimately, we have to do what's best for ourselves.
Thanks for reading and thinking Lily.
DeleteWatching my three sons grow - in every sense of that term - is one of life's greatest joys.
ReplyDeleteI too wrote about my youngest son on his fifth birthday - it was a fifteen minute piece, which for me is extremely rare - and yet it won awards, has been published widely elsewhere and I often receive emails about it. It's called One, two, three, four.. if you ever search my blog. https://www.viewsfromthebikeshed.com/2009/11/one-two-three-four.html
Thanks TBS. I will read that later today.
DeleteI smiled when I read your earlier post about his birth- I was the same when Hank was born- it didn't even occur to me to wonder if this was a boy or a girl. It was a BABY! A tiny bit of foreshadowing there for me!
ReplyDeleteYour Ian is a beautiful boy, and obviously an amazingly hard worker, a man with a dream and the industry to make it real. His lady is radiant. May they be happy. I know that you and Mrs. P. are so very proud of him.
Thanks for reading it all and thinking about it Mary.
DeleteTime goes by in a hurry when you're having fun. I wish Ian all the best.
ReplyDeleteYour are a man with a generous heart Red.
DeleteFor nutrient antioxidants there is nothing like the vegan diet.
ReplyDeleteNo wonder Ian and Sarah look so healthy.
Vitamin A helps maintain skin cells, E slows down ageing, and Vitamin C stimulates collagen production.
In Edinburgh I often have lunch at David Bann's vegan restaurant in Mary Street, a two minute walk from the Royal Mile. Recommended by The Guardian.
Its grey facade is not impressive, but inside the main courses are delicious, and the generous desserts irresistible.
My beard is not quite as dark as Ian's. I fear I am ready to play Lear or blinded Gloucester.
*As flies to wanton boys are we to th'gods. They kill us for their sport.*
Haggerty
A great couple. They look happy together. That's all that matters.
ReplyDeleteYou are right ADDY. That is indeed all that matters.
DeleteBoth your children turned into adults you and Shirley can be proud of - they benefited from your good parenting and became good, decent, fun-loving people who make the world a better place in their sphere of influence.
ReplyDeleteI don't like blowing my own trumpet but you are right Meike. Thank you.
DeleteMay they be very happy.
ReplyDeleteAmen
DeleteIt's a great comfort to see them happily paired off. They are a lovely couple.
ReplyDeleteWe live in hope.
DeleteThat's great news. Am I right in thinking Sarah rather resembles Frances? Or maybe it's just that they are both dark haired and thirty-ish.
ReplyDeleteBTW, I always get slightly nervous writing "Frances", very aware that you are insistent on the correct spelling and I'm more likely to get it wrong if I overthink it :)
You got it right Kylie! Put a star on the star chart.
DeleteWhen Ian and Sarah were here they looked through an old photo album in which there were pictures of him with his first sweetheart. He was about seven at the time. I pointed out that Sarah looks like an adult version of that girl and they both chuckled in agreement.
Beautiful couple! They look extremely happy together. Mental health issues are so incredibly tough; as much as we care, we can't always help our loved ones. It's difficult to know when to let go. Hoping for good things for Ian and Sarah.
ReplyDelete