Dear Pippa & Michael,

I’ve just got back form a swim, sitting at the desk, watching the sun rise on another beautiful day, writing a quick note to express my gratitude. Charlie watches with interest, having followed me in when I returned from an early morning swim. He’s also had a couple of pieces of my marmalade toast and seems in sprightly form for such a senior dog this morning.

Anyway, thank you for the loving welcome and hospitality. The manse is truly a fascination and beautiful place to live. The views are beautiful and the sweet smell of your many plants were a vibrant splash of colour against the blue and green of everything else.

I believe the Chief Educational psychologist once said ‘You’re not just taking on a child, you’re taking on a family’, and I think he was spot on. You started with home-schooling Olivia, but you were soon providing surrogate motherhood to many of her siblings, including me.

“My children feel neglected,” you would protest when we were hanging on, when you announced you had to get back to your own brood. You shared your love, and your time and your children were very diplomatic, showing the emotional maturity to understand our pain. We envied your children; they had all that space to play and watched over by a loving couple. You are both accomplished teachers, mentors and community leaders for the Island of Westray and the Island’s of Orkney.  

I have always used the memory of your teachings as an example of good conduct and congruency. for myself and a number of my siblings, so thank you for that. A special thank you to Michael, who showed me and other siblings that a grown man can teach us something without getting violent.

It was lovely to catch up with your sons again and to see what great, well-rounded family people they are. They do you and now your grandchildren credit.

I Thanks you for helping to set up the action committee and, with the other great souls, fighting to get the children back home. I will never forget the way you and the other parents marched straight over to the social work department, following the sheriff’s ruling that the children get returned. The images of you and the others demanding the kids aback as you barge your way in to the Head of social services office and the look of sheer panic and fear on that man’s face.

Charlie just saw me cry again and has just jumped upon my lap for a hug. Dogs are man’s best friend.

I’ve just noticed the school bus turn up to collect your grandchildren and their friends for school. They look so happy and loved, running down the hill to get the bus with their friends. Meanwhile, David has fallen down the stairs from his room with a splitting headache, so I’ll get him some marmalade toast and coffee, so he’s sobered enough to get on the world’s shortest plane trip. The record’ s 53 seconds. See you in a few hours.

Thank you for being there as a place of respite as I struggled for so many years to travers in to the adult world, and become the man I am proud to be today.  

Lastly, thank you for showing such pride in who I have become.

 

God bless,