Hogmanay 2005/6

We the Byrom "children" would like to say a special "Thank You" and "Happy Birthday" to Edith for being a friend to us and a great family favourite, particularly in the season of New Year....

From childhood's perspective...

The allure of chocolate bar prizes,

Wrapped up and tied tight,

In pillow-sized parcels,

All set for un-knotting,

With knife and fork,

At the roll and cry of... "S-I-X!!!"

No cheating please!

Rules request manners and dignified dress:

Winter coat, scarf, woolly hat and hampering gloves,

But the trick's to exercise thrifty fashion,

Dashing to the Milky Way (or possibly Mars?),

Beyond the realms of paper, string and knots...

And the subsequent cries of a "S-I-X!!!"

...and then the social embarrassment of general knowledge ignorance,

Pitting merry whit's against Hollywood movies, current affairs and classical stars,

And fond memories versus twenty items on Kim's excruciating "now you see it, now you don't" list:

Aspirins for sore heads, a drawing pin and nut cracker... thimble, napkin, bottle of ink and more...

Vanishing objects into grey matter... oh, and also a nail file, a lemon and a bar of soap?

Any steady hands left for matchsticks on gin bottles?

To celebrate and "toast" Our host..!

Slinte, Cheers and Thank You Dear Edith... "Happy Hogmanays" forevermore!

In recognition of all of the above,

And in consideration of the wood pulp required in the materialisation of the many books read from your most reliable fount of gift tokens over the years,

We have asked "Trees for Life" to plant a grove of native trees somewhere in the Scottish Highlands in your honour!

Lots of love, Simon, Thomas, Sarah, Calum and Rob.