I can remember exactly what I was doing 21 years ago yesterday, I was giving birth to my daughter. I remember it vividly because my husband complained that he couldn't cope with the labour because his chair was uncomfortable - I would willingly have swapped places!! I didn't realise at the time that our second daughter was born on the anniversary of the queen's coronation, I was more concerned that she would be young in her year when she went to school (which has not caused her any problems). Having a birthday in early June has was a good thing because it coincided with half term and we were always on holiday in Cornwall for her birthday. We have some very special memories of beech birthdays and trips to the pony centre to see her favourite pony Munchkin.
The first time that I realised that there was a connection with the queen was in 2002 when the queen celebrated her golden jubilee. We were in Cornwall and we had a wonderful view of the beacon that was lit a Trevose Head, there was a firework display too. This time my daughter went to London on the day before her birthday to celebrate with her friend and to enjoy some of the excitement of the jubilee celebrations. I think she rather likes sharing her special day with the queen.
Significant anniversaries always leave me wondering where all the time has gone. How can my little girl be 21? it doesn't seem possible. I have so many happy memories (and embarrassing photos) of those growing up years and I am very proud of the young woman she has become. On the subject of embarrassing photos, there are a couple of me dressed as Britannia for the queen's silver jubilee, where has the time gone. I expect the queen asks herself the same question when she looks back on her long reign. It can't be easy to live your life in the spotlight with people feeling that they have the right to criticise and comment on every aspect of her life. We may not have a perfect system, but when I look around and see what other countries have instead, I am glad that we have a monarchy.
On Saturday lunchtime I answered the phone to find Emily sobbing on the other end. It was difficult to make sense of what she was saying and a ripple of fear ran through me, obviously something very bad had happened and as she and Laura were both at work my first fear was that something had happened to Laura. Through her tears Emily managed to tell me that one of her co-workers had died and Emily was so upset by the news that she had been allowed to go home. I dashed out to pick her up and by the time I found her she was a little bit calmer. Karen, had only been off sick for three or four weeks and the news of her death had come as a terrible shock. Emily liked her because she was a bit 'dizzy' like Emily and she was always helpful and friendly at work. She had young children so her death was especially sad. Cancer is such a cruel illness.
The previous day we had been delighted by the news of a new life and so soon afterwards we were reminded of the sadness of death. It is the way of the world, but the pain is especially bitter when someone dies so tragically young. It certainly pushes our own trivial worries back into perspective and it reminds us to make the most of our own lives.
Robbie went to a gig last night, to see The Breeders, so I spent the evening trying to stay awake because I had to pick him up from the station at 12.40am! He still managed to get up for work at 5.15am, but as usual I thought Monday morning had arrived far too soon.
On Friday morning I woke very early, I was waiting anxiously and not very patiently for news that my new niece of nephew had arrived, I had been told the evening before that he was on the way and the wait seemed never ending. When my children were little they longed for a cousin and I was just as keen to be an aunt, but I only have one brother and one brother in law and for a long time it looked as if we would not get our wish. I was so excited when my brother in law Dorian and his wife Sara announced that a baby was on the way. My niece Charlotte is seven now and her little brother Jack is two, they are amazing, and my children love their little cousins. I think we had all given up hope of my brother Michael having any children, so when he told me some months ago that Jane was pregnant, my first reaction was shocked silence, but I was absolutely delighted by the news. My brother has been very chilled about the whole thing, in fact he seemed more anxious when his dog Poppy had puppies a couple of years ago, but I could tell that he was really excited about it.
Finally I got the news I was waiting for, I have a new nephew! Mum and baby were both fine, but when I saw the first photos my brother looked a bit shaky, he is not very good at dealing with hospitals and he has always been a bit funny abou
t blood stuff. My brother has been teasing the children by saying that he intended to call the baby Cecil after his favourite artist (Cecil Aldin) so we were all waiting anxiously for them to decide on a name. I didn't need to call the NSPCC after all, the baby is not called Cecil, his name is Oliver John. Emily is very keen that he should have ginger hair (she loves ginger hair), it is not possible to tell yet, but as my brother has ginger hair it is a possibility. I can't wait to see him!
