A wonderful event occurred on Sunday 7 February 1943. The birth of Carole Ann Tapsell.

Carole was born to Carl and Eileen Tapsell at Kharagpur near Calcutta in India. Carl was known as one the greatest field hockey players of all time with 2 Olympic Gold medals for India in 1932 [Los Angeles] and 1936 [Berlin]. The family moved to Ipswich in 1947 and years later I heard about this Carole who had become a winner of Eisteddfods and a Sports Champion in many sports, including becoming a Qld GPS Sprint champion. She became a member of the church Youth Group I led and she became my best friend ever for over 60 wonderful years..

What a privilege it has been to me to have been the person chosen by God to marry her for 54 years and to be blessed by the Lord with 3 wonderful children and 4 grand-children. It was a privilege too for us to serve the Lord in ministry together for over 50 years in Australia and North America.

Carole read some years ago that on birthdays we honour and celebrate the uniqueness of the person. She tried to do that with everyone and I’m taking this opportunity to do the same for her, even though the Lord took her home to Himself on 31 October 2019.

When I included some photos of Carole in an article recently I was surprised by how many friends around the world loved seeing them. I have included some more here to jog the memory of friends we have known for over 60 years and to show a younger Carole than many folk may have seen her.

Her lovely smile touches me deeply every time I look at photos or remember how she smiled. Especially at me!

On her birthday I celebrate her uniqueness with a thankful heart but with an ongoing very acute sense of loss.

“To God be the Glory, Great things He has done!” In and through this delightful and precious birthday gift to the world on 7th February 1943!

Blog No.378. A Wonderful Birthday on Sunday 7th February 1943. Kharagpur, India. A Blessing to Thousands of People Worldwide!

[This previously appeared on my Facebook site in time for Carole’s Birthday.]