A couple of Christmases ago we were playing games after lunch. Uncle Alan was in grumpy uncle mode and was having none of it. The great nieces and nephews were equally having none of it and insisted he join a team. The game ensued and Uncle Alan bumbled along, answering questions incorrectly but mostly pretending not to hear and making funny comments. Then a task was set…’One of your team must touch their toes 20 times without bending their knees’ we where full of turkey and pudding and laughed. Uncle Alan said ‘I can do that’. He then just stood up and just did it. No fuss, no nonsense, he just did it. We looked on in amazement, and of course he got a standing ovation. Our 79 year old uncle had done something none of us could. How? we asked, ‘It’s just something I have always been able to do’ he replied. The following year I asked ‘Are you coming for Christmas?’ ‘Yes’ he replied, ‘but I am not playing any of your stupid games’ …but he came and he did!