For me my dad is still a big miss, gone since September 2003, just before his 68th birthday.

I’m now less than 7 years away from where he reached, a sobering thought and now easy to so clearly to remember his final few years and equate them to my own during this 60+ period.

I miss my nan’s a lot as well and my grandad on my dad’s side who I had until I was 25.

So many fantastic aunts and uncles all gone as well, the family parties were legendary back in the 70’s, all gone now though, our family is so fragmented and the younger brigade have no feeling for the history of the family and ties are now almost broken.

I’ve gone from being way down the pecking order in the family to now being one of the elders, only 6 of the older brigade are now with us and of the males I’m now fourth in line in terms of the bloodline.

It’s like trying to stand on the shoulders of giants, the elders of the past were real men, coal miners and the like, my one great uncle was mayor of Durham in the late 70’s and the leader of the NUM in that region ( that’ll surprise a few on here&#129315

His name was Joeseph Wright, what a character!

They all were.......in truth I’m not fit to tie the bootlaces of most of them.

What I’d give for one last night with them all, one final family party with everyone present.

I can honestly say I’d give up my life right now to be granted one last gathering with all of them.

Especially dad.

This is why I find Xmas so damned hard.

Thinking of you all today old timers.