Start spreadin the news! I can't believe it, the Poor Wee Thing and I are going to the Big Apple for two days. It was just too good an opportunity to miss so we are taking the proverbial bull by the horns and, with a little help from some friends, we're spending the end of our trip there.
The New Mum’s brother got in touch with someone who works in hotels and we got a great deal. Although I will miss my gorgeous grand-daughter, this is a lovely way to end our visit. The Big One gets shot of his mother early and his mother gets quality
time with her only daughter before re-entry into the planet ‘our house’.
“Guests are indeed like fish - after four days they begin to stink!”
Now in all fairness, the Poor Wee Thing took to it like a duck to water. Her big brother and sister-in-law are absolutely fantastic with both her and the Master of the Universe and are bringing them both out next summer. But, to be perfectly frank, I’m completely useless at being a house guest and feel as if I’m in the way no matter how good my hosts are. In fact the more they put themselves out for me, the more guilty I feel at putting them to the bother.
Also the fact that I can’t get around without depending on someone to drive me there and back make me feel helpless and somewhat claustrophobic.
On the bright side, though, when I see the ‘Beauty’ getting her first bath, it is one of the many precious memories I will take home with me. Among others is having lunch with the New Mum and her identical twin sister, who is also a New Mum. Watching the two girls together is fantastic. It’s like the two are complete and are greater than the sum of their parts. I loved spending the afternoon with them as the Big One and his little sister babysat ‘the Beauty’.
My sister-in-law came up to visit with her daughter, her daughter’s boyfriend and her son. The last time I saw my nephew was eight years ago – I couldn’t believe the change in him since I last saw him; he’s about to go to university and plays in a band. He gave us his CD and played guitar and sang for us. He is actually very good indeed and I’d say it’s a case of ‘watch this space’ in the not-so-distant future.
We went to a Chinese buffet together and had a lovely night as a big extended family. It was this particular sister-in-law who looked after the Big One when he came here to study and, quite frankly, became his surrogate mother. She probably still is as the bond they have is very close and I wouldn’t change it for the world. I’m really glad he has her here; it’s a very comforting thought for any mother who has a child of any age so far away.
Even though nothing can compare to holding your first grand-child in your arms for the first time, there was another event that had me feeling as proud as the peacock we saw the day we went for a picnic in the park with the New Mum’s wonderful family: watching the Big One Play basketball last night with his local team.
He made us a fabulous dinner and then took us to watch him play basketball in the sports centre in town. It was the same place I watched him play the last time I was here and I wondered would I get the same thrill again.
