Presents/presence

Monday July 9th: Tom called, to ask amongst other things, what we'd like as a wedding present. This is a difficult one: we both feel that as we've been together twenty-something years, there's no necessity for anyone to buy us presents - it's not as if we're just starting life together. On the other hand, I know I've felt a bit disappointed in the past when on the receiving end of someone's "I'd prefer your presence to your presents" message; there are definitely occasions that you'd like to mark with a gift of some sort. After some thought, we came up with the idea of asking people to buy us a rose: it wouldn't cost a fortune, would last (more or less) for ever, and would remind us of the people who gave it to us. I suggested "Rambling Rector" to Tom, as it seemed singularly appropriate! I think he liked the idea; hope so, anyway.