Look at the posted dates between this blog entry and it’s predecessor… Just look at them! Far too long, but I do have an excuse. I married a French woman here in the UK who two years ago wanted to move back to France taking our two young sons with her. We have been fighting over where they should reside and school ever since. I won’t go into details, but basically twas a situation entirely of her own creation. Which is especially poignant considering the court came down on my side last month.

This may make you think that I won, but nobody really wins in these situations. She has chosen to remain living in France and will miss seeing her boys on a daily basis. The Boys will miss their Mother. And I will have to support everybody both financially and emotionally, a task traditionally carried by two…

Nevermind, the reverse is unthinkable so I <shrug> and carry on carrying on. The reason for bringing this situation to your attention is to share with you All something of which I am particularly proud of. In these days of social media, websites, streaming, e-mails, texts and phone calls I am constantly reminded of the power of simply putting pen to paper and writing a letter. It isn’t efficient, doesn’t reach the biggest audience and has no spell check facility; but in the right place and right time its unbeatable.

And so I used it here in this custody situation. My eldest son is five years old and thankfully most of the last two years fracas has gone way above his head. I know there will be a time when they will ask challenging questions about the situation; timelines, motives, promises and judgments. I also know that I, as a bloke, will probably <shrug> again and say something like “I dunno”(!) which of course isn’t good enough. So, whilst all is fresh in my mind, I wrote a letter to my boys (or rather their future selves) telling the story from my perspective.

It caused me to re-examine my motives and conduct. I found it quite cathartic. But the most important thing is my Boys now have a record, especially if something happens to me. We live in a world of ever increasing age expectation and medical knowledge. Unfortunately, even I as a 42 year old, have had personal experience of friends & acquaintances being taken from us all far before the end of their natural life span. So again, just in case, I plan to write to my Sons and share with them any life lessons or wisdom I may have learnt. This time though I will share the letter, with you dear readers, to either castigate or applaud, as I am definitely NOT some know-it-all. Just someone who will need some steering from time to time. And I'm always open to advice...

blog?

Seems a simple question with several simple answers superficially, but a fairly important one as far as I can see. Do I have an agenda? Or am I just full of my own self-importance looking for an audience to try and captivate? I think the answers will change with time and vary blog to blog. But I would like to start with some semblance of honesty...

I have Friends who write for enjoyment. They blog, tweet, myface and diarise their lives, sharing experiences, news and lessons with those they choose to share with. When they hit their high points I feel invariably proud, but with a hint of jealousy. Why jealousy? Because they normally write far better than I could, but more importantly because they have the time to share.

Well, full as my life is, and it is full, believe me, just not with much that is very interesting, I've decided that I NEED to start doing some form of blogging to vent. Now, believe me, I'm no budding dictator wanting to put the world to rights. I'm just an average bloke who through his work and personal commitments doesn't get to share his thoughts quite as often as he should. Personal feelings and thoughts that would normally mortify me at the thought of sharing them with strangers. But we are all friends here on Goldtoken and if anyone wants to chip in with any comments agreeing, supporting or metaphorically slapping me in a 70's disaster movie style, feel free

So, here we go. What's the worse that can happen? Internet dating sites want pics of your face on your profile so everyone can potentially know your business, this will be a breeze in comparison...

<GULP>