65TH BIRTHDAY SPEECH - 2017
For once being the oldest in the room has an upside – which relates to the fact, as of today I am in receipt of my ‘Old Age Pension’. I realise this may well be galling to many of you who are likely to be 68 or even 70 by the time you find yourselves in the same position - hence my decision to invest some of mine in advance, on you my friends, with a good dinner.
A few months back my beloved wife and I watched a TV programme of another milestone – a 50th anniversary rather than a 65th and related to the Beatles making their iconic album ‘Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’.
One of the tracks has a link to tonight’s proceedings and written by Paul McCartney to celebrate his father’s birthday and goes something like this: - “When I get older losing my head many years from now, will you still need me, will you still feed me when I’m 64”. Another short but apt verse: - “Grandchildren on my knee, JJ, Lozz &?”
50 Years ago when McCartney wrote his song I was 15, my career at a top Scottish Public school heading for a premature end, and a fairly wild and decadent decade beckoned. At the time I’d no concept whatsoever of being 65 or becoming a pensioner. My conduct over the next 10 years led Mum and Dad to believe the likelihood of me achieving such a milestone was slim.
It was the 60’s and ‘Making Love Not War’ had more appeal than cooped up in an all-boys Public School. An appetite for wine, women and song - as well as an addiction to ‘Speed’ (I should clarify this relates to cars and motorbikes, not drugs) may well have propagated my long suffering parent’s belief my standing here today was likely to prove a challenge.
I presume the question you want answered, is: - “How did the transformation from reprobate, to this model upstanding citizen come about”? The answer relates to three things: -
The 1st a visit to one of my many local hostelries ‘The Highlander’ near Ponteland, on Tyneside – where this very pretty, blonde Geordie Lass decided to introduce herself and chat me-up. The rest is history and my No1 wife of 39 years (our anniversary being on Saturday) – transformed my life. No internet dating back in those days.
The 2nd our family, of whom we are extremely proud: – Bringing children into the world is an honour, privilege and a responsibility. One has to learn the art of looking out for others rather than yourself. Luckily our children inherited their mother’s genes and as per her exemplary example have proved too be paragons of virtue and a major influence on my rehabilitation. The addition of a No1 Son-in-law and No1 Daughter In-law, as well as a No1 Grandson and No1 Granddaughter has added a whole new positive dimension to our lives.
The 3rd relates to Friends: - We’ve friends we can have for dinner, other friends we can spend a night away with, and the most important friends are the ones who can put up with us for a week, 2 and more. You’re very much the latter and an important aspect of our lives.
There have been so many memorable trips and veritable feasts – Florida, Portugal, Lymphail, Glen Tanner, Cabo, Aya Tia Roa, Morocco, Croatia, Dordogne, Saddell, Monte Casino, Affric, Annie Girl, Glen Lyon, Ro-Ro, the Ness, Melbourne, Cradle Mountain, Queenstown, Dome Hills, Stuart Island, Samoen, Covara, Tobago, New York, the Lake District, the Laxford and many more.
I’d like to take this opportunity to acknowledge your patience and help in assisting my wife in developing my skills as a ‘Professional House Guest’ – this is much appreciated and has played a vital role in my ongoing quest to become the model citizen she so desires. I should add my apprenticeship still has a long way to go.
Great Friends of ours use a phrase to which I totally concur ‘Families that play together, stay together’ – to which I would like to add the word ‘Friends’.
If you would be upstanding I would like to propose a toast: -
‘To Family and Friends and too lots more playing together in the years ahead’.