My Moments of Joy #14

Over the next 3 weeks, rather than thinking about moments of joy from the week which has just gone,  I want to share with you some moments of joy from my holiday memories.  Today being Fathers day I wanted to not only share with you this picture which my mum sent me this week, but also some of what it means to me.  It is of my Dad, my brother who I am guessing was about 3 at the time and me. I think must have been about  5.

Despite the blurry image and the creases in the top corner and the faded colours I love this picture for so many reasons.  Although I don’t remember this particular  moment, and I’m not exactly sure where it was, although if I were to guess I would say Brancaster or Old Hunstanton on the North Norfolk coast, I remember many moments like it.  As children we went on lots of holidays, usually camping (as I said in a post earlier this week), and we had many days out at the beach.

I remember clearly the excitement of arriving home from school on a Friday afternoon to find our hall overflowing with camping gear already to be packed into the car in readiness for a weekend away.  So much excitement about where we were going and what we would do when we got there.  So often it involved the beach and the sea.  I also remember many Sundays when we would pack up a picnic, buckets and spades and the wind break, essential in north Norfolk and drive to the beach.  My Dad was a strong swimmer and I  remember how confident I always felt when he was in the water with me.  I could ride on his back and swim through the waves knowing he was with me.  He taught me to swim and both me and my brother were confident in the water from a very early age, largely thanks to those holidays and happy days on the beach,

But what I love most about this picture is the sheer feeling of joy it gives.  We are running through the waves, the sun is shining and we are all clearly having fun, lost in the moment.  My mum is taking the picture and although none of us are even looking at the camera, we would have known she was there, ready with towels and food for when we came out of the water.

Its Fathers day today.  My Dad died 15 years ago.  At 59 he was too young to die and we felt too young to lose him.  So as I look at this picture again, as I have many times this week, I feel sad that my Dad is no longer here and we did not have more time, but I also feel happy that he gave us so much.  I thank my Dad and of course my strong and courageous Mum too, for so many things, for the holidays and happy times they gave us and the time they took to create so many memories which I will always carry with me, and for all these things which have shaped who I am today.

Here is were you can read about lots more of My Moments of Joy

Wishing everyone a joyful sunshiny week.