[mobertol]

My own experience of childhood and life in general leads me to believe that it is the people that populate a life are the key to happiness -not "material things".

My most treasured memories are of the simplicity and happiness of childhood. Freedom to roam with friends and play out. The security of a home where my parents and extended family were always present -even though both parents worked. School, which for many brings bad memories. I was a good student but didn't even have a proper desk -I studied on the rickety camping table which we used for holidays. All the furniture in my bedroom was old stuff of mum's which was painted every now and then to match the new colour scheme.

At the end of the day it is the personal, simple stuff that counts, not the latest gadget.

My most precious possessions are letters from my family and friends.

Yesterday evening I spent a rare, but wonderful, evening with my youngest son, 3 of his friends and his girlfriend - made an industrial quantity of pizza and a giant Tiramisù. We sat and talked and laughed for 3 hours and a good time was had by all -I hope he'll remember this evening in 25 yrs time when he has a similar occasion with a family of his own.

Technology brings certain advancements in the "quality" of life but at the end of the day, as human beings , it is the human stuff that counts..

I recently read a poem in a book which was written 100 years ago, it was a surprise to find that some of the simple gestures and sentiments described exactly mirrored thoughts and feelings of my own today- technological progress does not change human sentiment, that is the important thing that we must transmit to the next generation.

As a footnote: I sometimes wonder if the discontent of today's children does not mirror the frustration they feel in their parents.