70th birthday party: Speech (part 3)

 

In 2019 Mel came to me. She was at the Y.  She said two people came in and wanted to play pickleball. They had come back from a cruise in Canada. So, she did some research and bought some pickleball nets. And she said to me you are retired. You have nothing else to do so I’ve put you down to play PB. So, I turned up one day zero. Dave was there. Good on you Dave. And we kept on going back. And we loved it.

Now my grandparents taught me a lot. They were all different but good people.  Hopefully my grandchildren will learn something from their grandparents. I am a link in the chain.

I will tell my grandkids what my mother said to me.

Only two things to think about.

What if everybody did that?

And when you meet someone see the world through their eyes. Do what is best for them?

Or as I say, not mum. Everybody you meet is unique. Has a different back story. Respect them. Treat them the way you would like to be treated.

Now Kaya one of my granddaughters is going to answer the question.

Kaya: Who is Grandfather Alan?   Now, we all know him, that's why we're here! But have you really ever stopped and thought, who is Alan Carlton? Why was I invited to celebrate his 70th birthday? And if you just assumed,

 "Oh, it's the bare minimum, we've known each other for years!"

Then think again. 

We've all shared good moments with him, the ups, the downs, and all the in-betweens.

Whether that be that your family, from tennis, pickleball, a park run or any of his many hobbies. The other day we were at Burnside Manor re-watching old movies directed, filmed, written and edited by Alan, with the cast mostly consisting of Brad, Jo, Mel, Stacey, and himself. They were outstanding! We all had a good laugh out of the old memories and video proof that the cast, though you may not believe me, were young! In my years, although not many, I've started to notice a pattern. Wherever I go, I seem to see someone who knows grampa! From dentistry all the way to music, someone knows him. Thank you for your time, I hope that I've inspired all of you to think about how much we truly love, Grandfather Alan.

 

The end