It may be over 13 years since my son Steven, in his infinite wisdom, decided to end his association not only with me but all our family. Yes, of course, it saddened me and often comes back to confound me most unexpectedly. I have learned to live with his decision and have virtually given up any hope that he and I will ever be reunited.
I still have many happy memories of my son as a little tike and in later years with his lovely wife and their two children. Happy times, happy photographs. all of which I enjoy having a peek at from time to time.
There is a wee keepsake I have that I still use. When Steve was about 12 or 13 he and some of his mates went to the rubbish tip in Mosman Park near where we lived (a very small local tip if I remember rightly) scavenging, as boys will do. When he arrived home Steve proudly presented me with this little pin cushion in the shape of a crown that he had found at the tip:
It was very clean so I had no hesitation in using it. There once was a tiny tape measure in its base but that little tape is long gone. There is also a little thingie on top that I think at one time probably held a large pearl or similar object. It is faded and worn but still the best pin cushion I have ever owned. It's been with me now for well over forty years.
I was using it today when taking up a couple of pairs of Phil's new trackpants. He and I have both shrunk a couple of inches over the years and he doesn't have long legs anyway so his trousers always need a few inches snipped from the bottom of the legs.
