In recent months I have faced the challenging role of being sandwiched between an ageing parent, my children, and the role of a grandparent. Each has fabulous rewards, but they also come with challenges. Thank the Lord that I have the time to devote to each.

As I sat listening to Elvis Costello’s Veronica, I could not help but reflect on the last few months with my ageing and, sadly, now Alzheimer-affected natural mother. My natural mother came into my life around 30 years ago when adoption laws changed in my state, and my desire to meet my natural mother became more important to me. My keenness to meet my natural mother was certainly not through any lack of love and affection from my parents, who, from the time they adopted me until their death, were the most loving, caring and wonderful parents you could ever wish to meet. I was blessed not just by them, but by my fabulous sister and, subsequently, my wife (my favourite person), along with three wonderful children and now grandchildren.

After the birth of our third child 30 years ago, it was clear that there was a heritage that I wanted to know about. Continue reading →