I’m sure somewhere in my father’s loft there are pictures from 40 years ago of me and my brother on the beach, playing, being silly, throwing stones, paddling, building sand castles, exploring rock pools. You know - all the things that kids do when at the beach. There are probably many more such images buried deep in my father’s head, but imprisoned now by his progressive forgetfulness. I like to think that he’s still able to explore them in his dreams, to return to those happy times that for my brother and I at least were so carefree. If he does, he almost certainly doesn’t remember come the morning.

Somewhere we also have pictures of our children playing on the beach when they were much younger. And many more memories too, and the blessing of being able to recall those times with much joy. But time flies, and here is my daughter now, having secretly arranged with my wife to surprise me on my birthday by turning up from university at my father’s house where we were visiting for the day. Before setting off back home we paid a visit to the shoreline near Meon on Southampton Water. She’s twenty now. Twenty?!? How did that happen?? But she still delights in exploring the beach. To look for baby crabs and pretty shells. Don’t ever lose that sense of curiosity!

What a wonderful blessing it is to enjoy such things. In Psalm 16 verse 6, David says

The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places…

and that is my testimony too. I had a happy childhood in a stable, loving home, and we have tried to give our own children the same experience. At my next birthday I’ll be 50 and will have been married for 25 years. I don’t know what lies ahead but perhaps one day, if God wills, we will have pictures of grandchildren at the beach and even more memories to go with them. And then our children will have pictures of their own children playing at the beach. And in time of their grandchildren too perhaps.

Or may be not.

But for now though, I am content to enjoy the good things that God has given me. I have so much to be thankful for.

My reflection on reaching 49? Truly, God is good.