St. Christopherfrom the Belles Heures of the Duc de Berry
By the time that you read this
MasterM will be overhead somewhere,
enroute to South America - first stop Lima, Peru.
I was going to write a jolly post
about all the First Aid that I made him pack ...
but somehow I didn't have the heart.
He left with his rucksack full to the brim:
trek towel, first aid kit, malaria pills,
yellow fever vaccination certificate,
guidebooks, spare mobile phone, universal charger
and 21 pairs of socks.
(Please don't ask me about the socks...
I had a moment of madness...
it seemed ESSENTIAL that he had clean socks.
I know, I know...
I accept that he was very kind to humour me.)
On Saturday night he organised a big party
for 50 of his closest friends
at the pub where he worked in the autumn.
There were friends from school and from South Africa
and people that he had met since the summer.
He invited us too (which was very flattering)
and so we dropped in to say hello.
There was a great atmosphere
and it was good to catch up with these wonderful teenagers
all of them bursting with energy and joie de vivre.
MasterM told us that at the end of the evening
he ordered a shot of Apple Sours for everyone
and even he was impressed
by the long line of shot glasses on the bar.
One of MasterM's great talents is making friends
and not just making them
but the business of keeping them by staying in touch.
I know that when he returns from South America
there will be a long list of new numbers in his mobile phone.
I also know that it will be very quiet while he is away.
19 comments:
Bon voyage to MasterM, man of many friends and abundant socks! (Hang in there, Alice...)
You know what people say about a young man like MasterM?
"His folks raised him right."
Oh.
I can't imagine.
I am confounded that my children are turning 14 in a couple of months.
I hope he has a great time and I think you are amazing parents to raise such an amazingly confident and self-assured son who is comfortable in any situation and is clearly a great friend to many people. Way to go.
Safe travels, MasterM!
Ah, to be young again...
All the way to Lima, Peru? Oh surely there would be some Paddington shrine?!?! Please tell him to leave a pair of socks (surely he could spare just one?) at its base in honour of his fellow traveller.
It is almost impossible to describe that feeling of sadness at missing them and unbelievable pride at their independence and bravery to launch off on such an amazing adventure. You've done well.
All those socks - poor boy has to carry them - bon voyage Master M and ((hugs)) Mrs M while he's gone
it will indeed be quiet, and there'll be a lot less socks to wash.......
hope he lets you know he's arrived safely. xx
Oh Alice my heart goes out to you, I do so understand what you are going through. You are excited for him, proud of him, but oh how you'll miss him and worry about him.
he's sure to have a wonderful time.
Bon voyage Master M, safe journey.
Bon Voyage Master M. Alice and Mr M - You've done a fantastic job.
Sounds like he'll be making lots of new friends to share his socks with! And you know all will be well. Sending best wishes to Master M and thinking of you. K x
Bon voyage MasterM you will have a marvelous time!
I totally understand about the socks:)
Oh Alice, I feel for you. Master M will have such a wonderful time and his return will bring such wonderful stories.
Bon voyage, MasterM, and hugs to the rest of the Ms.
And of course you were right about the socks!
Oh Alice.
Good thing about the socks. I know they will come in handy.
(I hope they had name tapes!) Also, it is nice to think that he might run into some of Paddington's relatives. What a great adventure. (gulp.)
oh godspeed MasterM; and take care too, MrsM
I do hope he arrived safely.
He'll be back before you know it, and what a tale to tell you.
Love to you and happy trails to MasterM...
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