Although we've been long parted with our children, even after all these years every fresh parting requires an adjustment on our part. Particularly when it entails a visit from our youngest. Suddenly, when he leaves to return to his own home, geographically distant from our own, the house is too quiet and we feel bereft of his presence. Of our three children, he remains the closest emotionally to us.

It was always with him that we seemed to spend the most time as we all grew older. For one thing we shared a sense of outdoor adventure with him. We introduced all our children at an early age to the natural world surrounding us, to ensure they gained a natural appreciation for the flora and fauna that share our world, and to respond to the inherent inclination most people simply ignore, to delve into that world from time to time, just as a reminder that we are an integral part of it.

They all, our children, veered off in different directions, our oldest boy cultivating a deep interest in astronomy which he maintained even while he became academically involved in history. Our middle child eventually became engrossed in the welfare of animals, while our youngest attained a doctorate in biology. All three are extremely conscious of the environment in which we live and thrive and which we too often take for granted.

It was with our youngest son that we, his father and mother, explored the natural world more deeply than we had ever imagined we would, under his guidance. We shared with him exploratory adventures that challenged our physical endurance and granted us experiences that have lasted our lifetime. He is now approaching his mid-50s, but still our youngest 'child'.

When he visits with us, it is as though a familiar, refreshing breeze has wafted through our home and our consciousness. We value his presence, his irrepressible spirit, his curiosity, his logical mind, his care for us reflecting our own for him. It is to him that we turn when we need someone to support us emotionally.

Oddly enough, he alone of our children insisted that he would make his own independent way in life, to achieve his goals, and he has done just that. Unlike his siblings he refused our help that would have made arrival at his goals a little easier. Now he alone returns to us the assurance that when we need someone to rely upon, he is there.