the young dougie

Legend has it that when Dad was born he arrived with a full head of black hair.... this was soon to disappear

One of his Aunties on seeing him for the first time so "och he looks just like the black Douglas"  so to the Grieve family he was to be known as Dougie.

I always wondered why my dad always referred to my uncle as "brother" Jimmy. It just dawned on me that there are gazillions of Jimmy's in Scotland and historically at least a dozen in the Grieve family.

Heres Dougie in his formative years....

Dads distinguished military career in the RAF - as described by him he adroitly took on the role of chief bottle washer and potato peeler. Both skills on which my mum heavily relied in later years.

I love looking at old pictures of Dad and Mum, pictures that pre date Julia and I.

Looking through them all Dad was always a goof always smiling and dorking around but when you see the pictures of Dad after he met Mum his smile got bigger and brighter.

He always looked like he had won the lottery when he was with Mum........which of course he had.

Dad married into the greatest family of all. He loved them, they loved him.

He called Gran the M.I.L. (mother in law) and taunted her endlessly, she called him heathen or sometimes proddy dog and other such religious slurs, neither of them were remotley sectarian by the way. She genuinely loved him and he loved her like a Mum.

Uncle Charlie, Uncle Gerry, (best blooming brother in laws ever) Auntie Gel (who I believe may be having a cup of tea with Dad and giggling away as we speak), Ged and Julie, Charles and Nicky, Lucie and Paul and Kev and Caroline.

All of the kids.

Dad so loved his grandsons. Just before he had to go into hospital in December I was talking to him and he told me what a lovely man Kevin had become. Mum was always telling me that Kevin and Rachel were so good with Dad.

Robbie Rooster, your Grampa loved you so very very much. 

So many people have been so great in supporting our family

Dave and Elaine Offer have taken my mum and dad on a break every year for the past couple of years.  We all met up in London a couple of years ago. Amy and I along with uncle Dave and Dad stood no chance when Mum and auntie Elaine hit the shops. Uncle Dave is so caring with dad and Auntie Elaine has been the greatest of supports for mum.They are our family.

Marilyn Ritchie kept mum going. She is one of the most caring people we know with a big heart.

Les and Moira Diaper. Dad as you all know has been a great fan of jazz all of his adult life, this great passion is matched only by one other, Les. Les has been with dad all the way, played him music, taken him on hikes with the dog when he was able, never forgotten that he was still Stan. When Dad was ill Les and Moria were always the first to call and the first to offer support.

Patty and Kenny Mackenzie. I will never forget our new years spent with the Mackenzies. Auntie Patty always brought raucous laughter to the early hours. Patty and Kenny have always been there for Mum and Dad.

Pat Foley.....uncle Gavin was dad brother (he always told us that) he loved you both very much.

these are some random gems of Dad if you have any stories or pictures please send them on.....

I have included some of the invitations Dad would draw for our birthday parties. He was always drawing for us and friends. 

Julias friends - big huge thanks

this image is famed in our family. Amy just viewed this for the first time and commented that "no amount of photo shopping is going to make that image right. It is now seared in my memory I don't know if I want it there!"

it is a thing of beauty.

Enjoy...