Golden day

What a joy it was to help our friends celebrate their golden wedding anniversary up in Northumberland! Quite a shock to see how changed my schoolfriend is, though. Two years ago she was in a coma for three weeks following a stroke. Her recovery has been a long, slow process, but continues, thankfully. 

Through illness and bereavement keeping others away, I also turned out to be the only representative of our high school days who made it to the celebration. Suddenly, we're growing old.  

But to focus on the positives, many wedding guests from 50 years ago did make the occasion. Their daughters have grown into lovely talented women, wives and mothers. And their grandchildren are a delight. 

The rain kept off long enough for us all to spend time in their beautiful garden, where I photographed this lovely waterlily.