I normally only post family photos on a Sunday, but today is my daughter Gaia's 1st birthday, so I thought I'd break with the norm to post one of my favourite photos of her first year on this planet. Like any other parent, I wonder what my children are going to become when they grow up. Doctors, writers, geologists, astronauts, politicians, sports stars, scientists, spies, accountants?!? The possibilities at the moment are limitless. I honestly don't mind what path they end up journeying down -- my only real hope is that it brings them happiness, as that can be the most elusive thing in this world. Gaia, like her brother Dante, is a cheerful, good-natured little thing, who laughs easily and regularly, and my birthday wish for her is that the same can be said of her when she's 21 and 51 and 71 and even 101.

As for what she's going to be when she grows up... well, I did say above that the possibilities are limitless, but based on the evidence of this photo, I think it's a safe bet to say that in all likelihood she's actually going to grow up to become...

Winston Churchill!!!!! :-) :-) :-)

Happy birthday, my little warrior princess. Here's hoping we get to celebrate many, many more, and that the rest of your birthday parties don't have to be cancelled because of deadly viruses!