The Party

One of the features of my 80th Birthday party on Saturday was a new book which Matthew has produced called "To be Frank". It consists of memories recorded by a range of friends and family of earlier years in my life. Over the next few weeks we will post sections of it here for you to follow. There are also versions of several 0ther contributions which a few people made in the form of speeches on Saturday afternoon in person.

First is the poem which Margaret adapted from my poem for Julia and Andrew's wedding:

80

 

Yay! Yay! Yay! What a beautiful day!

Christopher Franklin is 80 today.

With poise and with style

With a wink and a smile

Christopher Franklin is 80 today. 

We’re all here together at Waiau Estate

To grant our good wishes and eat birthday cake

With this celebration we just want to say –

“Happy Birthday Franklin – it’s your special day”. 

Hey! Hey! Hey! What a marvellous day

Christopher Franklin is 80 today.

With friends and relations

From four generations

We’ve all come together

From near and from far;

By plane and by ferry, by bus and by car.

Some came from Sydney and Melbourne and Adelaide,

Some came from Noosa, Dunedin and Palmerston.

And lots came from Auckland with children in tow –

But we’re still missing three – who just couldn’t pass GO. 

Our precious wee Sophie, born three weeks ago

Decided New Zealand was too far to go

She kept us all waiting and time soon passed by

I think she was cosy all tucked up inside!

So passport and papers just couldn’t be finished

In time for the take-off -

And so we’re diminished. 

But Andrew and Julia send hugs and kisses

And promise to be here some time after Christmas.

We’ll all get to meet Sophie Rose very soon

So let’s hope the passport and papers get done! 

So Hip, Hip Hooray, What a fabulous day

Christopher Franklin is 80 today.

We’re all here together on this special day

To wish him the best and Godspeed on his way.

With work-mates and team-mates

And play-mates and soul-mates,

With Grandmas and Grandads and plenty of Grandkids,

With Uncles and Aunties and nieces and nephews

With Mothers and Fathers

Their sons and their daughters –

Plus in-laws and out-laws!

We’re all here to say:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FRANKLIN – it’s your special day. 

We honour you Franklin as Husband and Father

As Uncle and Grandad,

As Brother and Cousin

As teacher and preacher and even as sketcher!

As poet and writer,

Philosopher and friend

Encourager and helper

The list never ends.

Musician, gardener and cook

And recently - Blogmaker – yes, writing a book! 

Yay! Yay! Yay! It’s a really grand day

Christopher Franklin is 80 today. 

So now that you’re 80

We’re looking your way

To teach us the secrets

And show us the way.

We’ve met for the weekend in this special way

To show you we love you and help make this day

A special event where we all want to say –

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FRANKLIN – it’s your special day.