Best Friends

My friend and I drink coffee at the harbour in the town where she lives. We talk of children, school, of plans for work. We play with the baby girl and joke a little until it's time to go. She has brightened my day. The girl who held the flowers while I stood at the altar, and then later - on quite a different sort of afternoon - sat me down and said 'You will get through this. You'll be OK'. 

She is a breath of fresh air this bright and funny woman. On the blackest of days she will open her door and look after me and mine. I am lucky to have her. When our children are grown and missing from our side, I will drink her tea, and pour her wine, and be glad still, for the bright and funny light in my day... x

A Fish Called Papa

In the garden of the restaurant with the view across to Arran, I asked the nearly 5 year old if he thought he could swim to the island. "No Mummy" came the reply "Sharks might eat me". He gazed over the water as a new response to my query entered his mind. "Papa could swim to Arran" he informed me with the simplistic certainty of the very young. 

Nearby, just within earshot and watching from the terrace, the only non swimmer of the group - my father and papa to my clever boy - flexed his imaginary fins and filled his gills with pride... x

These Early Days

The baby girl has been asserting her authority since her older brother started school. Its apparent she doesn't plan on wasting any time sleeping... I lowered my cotton romper'd babe, bleary eyed and angry with lack of sleep, to her cot and wished I could climb in beside her. As I leaned in to kiss her cheek she reached out a baby fist and held her mothers face. 

Gesture enough, I felt, to forgive a day of hair pulling and tears. Sleep has her now, and should until the morning, when my tiny girl will wake afresh, stretch herself from sleep, and take charge of her Mother for another day... x

Primary 1

My little boy started school this morning. The baby girl and I stuck by his side until a classroom of new faces peeled their gaze from mother love to the new first in command. I like her - my boys teacher - I hope she will recognise the bright and musical talent in her midst. Afterwards I shed small tears... while the baby girl smiled at me and cooed. Normally its the other way about. x