For the last month, we have been on ‘stand by’ for the arrival of our grandson. He has now arrived and called Barney.
The last five days have flashed by, almost a blur but I want to cling onto as many memories as I can. Today is Friday, although I did need to check my watch to make sure. In my mind I count back to Monday and that was the day Rachel and I headed down to Exeter: we went straight to the maternity building at the hospital.
After a little wait, Becky and David emerged carrying a car seat and a sleeping baby. He was so well wrapped up I could hardly see him! While Becky and David went to their house and have a few moments to themselves, Rachel and I went to collect Grace (their 2 year old daughter) from some friends. I had forgotten how newborn babies tend to sleep a lot and he hardly murmured while he was passed around for doting cuddles.
When Grace met Barney, it was such a tender time. Memories came flooding back of the time our two daughters met each other. I found myself making a promise to myself that I would always remember this precious time – no matter what may happen in the future, I must cling onto these memories.
We had agreed to stay elsewhere while we were in Exeter, to give Becky and David some space as it would be a bit cramped in their house. We ended up staying in Exeter at a friend-of-a-friends house who were a couple in their eighties. They were quite an extraordinary couple and very young at heart. It was obvious they had continued to embrace technology in their later years in their very modern home. They had three children of their own and had adopted four children; we were impressed by their gentle generosity. They didn’t shout about it, nor brag, nor draw too much attention to their lives. Instead they were keen to ask us about our family and our journey through life. The next morning they were up very early as they were giving someone a lift to hospital. They happily let us have the run of the house while they were out – us as complete strangers – and this is another example of their generous nature.
Rachel and I decided to book ourselves into a country hotel for a couple of nights, so we could be around our family but not to overcrowd them. The photo above is the view from our hotel window – glorious but quite chilly! I do admit to feeling a bit apprehensive driving our new, large and heavy car up a series of short but steep hills in such icy conditions. “Do I press that button on the dashboard in these conditions or not?” I couldn’t remember, so I didn’t. Thankfully there were no skids, no wheel spins, just a gentle steady climb up to the hotel. I opened the window so I could listen to the sound of the tyres on the road; I needed as many clues as possible – dry, ice, fresh snow etc all make a different noise and I wanted to know what the road was like. It changed so quickly. I am glad I took the cautious approach as I passed a couple of other cars which had clearly been abandoned.
Rachel and I took Grace out for the day on Tuesday. We went to Haldon Forest, yet again, but managed to avoid any parking tickets this time! We came back on the coast road through Teignmouth and stopped at a garden centre for afternoon tea before taking Grace back home.
Becky had been through quite a lot, clearly very tired. It was tricky knowing how much time to spend with her and how much peace and quiet they needed. We did agree, however, that on the Wednesday I would take my mother to see Barney. This too was a tender time and although she was only there for 1 or 2 hours, it meant so much. It keeps the family bonds strong. Hannah had arrived as well, so we seemed all complete for that time. I had quite a lump in my throat.
Yesterday, Thursday, we again took Grace out for a little wander around Exeter while Becky and David rested and cared for Barney. Barney is doing well. During the afternoon the time came for us to leave and drive home. Rachel decided to travel with Hannah and I drove home on my own.
It was a long drive home. I tried to think of my family and to savour all of those moments but I couldn’t. I needed to concentrate on driving as there seemed to be an unusually large number of idiots on the motorway, weaving in and out. There also seemed to be a large number driving with defective lights. Headlights either dim, or pointing the wrong way i.e. in my mirror. Back lights were either missing or covered in mud.
The 223 miles were drifting by nicely until someone on the M25 decided to go for a walk. All the traffic stopped, Police cars whizzed by with their blue lights flashing. Gradually people turned their engines or lights off and a lorry driver got out of his cab and went for a pee. Then after quite a lengthy wait, all four lanes started to move simultaneously. I was expecting to see the source of the problem ahead, or at least a Police car parked on the hard shoulder, but there was nothing. I wondered who the person might have been and what the story could have been.
I got home, shortly afterwards Rachel and Hannah arrived. I slept so soundly, my mind had a lot to digest and process. Good to go away but good to be home.