Busy Birthday Day

Up with the lark this morning to get things organised for Mum’s birthday treat. Graham had sent her a lovely food hamper and had mooted the idea of an afternoon tea. Regrettably, Haigs don’t deliver on a Monday, and no other establishment was explored for such a treat, so I thought I’d nip to Waitrose first thing before there were many people there and buy a few cakes ‘n things.

John had to take a bit of a back seat as I was going to be busy, although we did have a chat over breakfast. His news? He had broken a back tooth. Honestly, you can’t make it up, can you? It’s all the grinding of his teeth he’s been doing wot’s done it…….

All went well round Waitrose and I was back in reasonable time. I’d had a text from Danielle who was making a pebble art piece for me to give Mum for her birthday. It was ready. OK, let me gather up the few bits of washing I’d got to take over to Michael and Danielle’s and we’re off.

Michael took a break from his work when I got there and we walked round the park a couple of times, Michael pushing Thomas in the buggy (refusing to sleep), to get some fresh air. It was lovely and just what I needed. I collected the parcel and came home.

Had a natter to John at lunchtime, but not for long, as again, he had to take a back seat. “I’m just going to prepare some sandwiches for Mum’s afternoon tea.” I said. He was very good about it and genuinely happy for me to spare a day for Mum today.

He had seen the consultant this morning but there was nothing much to report. The medics involved were planning to have a case conference at lunchtime. Maybe we’ll know more tomorrow. John ventured to ask who was overseeing his care. The consultant said, “Well, that would be us,” i.e. the transplant team, “The GVHD has affected your lungs so we feel some responsibility.” Ah… OK, then. That’s good to know. Glad I emailed Paneesha now.

I went over to Mum’s this afternoon and helped her open all her cards and parcels. She was delighted with everything. “Aren’t they thoughtful?” she said, as she perused the contents of Graham and Gail’s parcel. “Aren’t those pink flowers just beautiful?” she repeated several times throughout the afternoon about Michael’s bouquet. And she was pretty speechless with wonder over the pebble art that Danielle had done. She kept tracing her finger over all the people, reading out their names and, with eyes misting over as she read the header, “Know that you are loved,” she said softly, “It’s lovely.”

After all the parcel opening and the excitement that that had generated, Mum was exhausted, so she sat back in the chair. “Have a snooze,” I suggested. Like that awkward child who refuses to go to sleep, her eyes stayed wide open. “I think I might go home, Mum, and come back at five o’clock to make the afternoon tea. Unless you’d rather I stay?” Silly question really. Her eyes did eventually droop and I spent a good half hour enjoying all the photo albums we’d given to Mum over the years, starting with Graham’s 60th birthday and our first trip to OZ through the weddings and onto the latest, Lockdown albums. Reminisced a bit.

I prepped the tea, and Mum said she felt thoroughly spoiled. Even though I say it myself, it was a lovely tea.

I finally said my good byes and came home well past sunset. As soon as I was in, I made a cuppa and phoned John. He was grinding his teeth. Nothing doing today at all and, of course, no distractions really. He’s exhausted everything he can possibly be interested in and is very frustrated. I suspect that, as there’s no deterioration in health and a little bit of improvement, they’ll probably decide to send the ol’ man home and see how he goes. I shall be interested to hear what advice they have to give though. Poor John. It’s so painful to witness his distress and know there is nothing I can do to make anything better. Oh, Lordy, Lordy.

Just as I was about to crash out and settle onto the sofa for a while and kick off my shoes, a text pinged in. It was one of the ‘Bibliophiles’ saying she wouldn’t make the reading group meeting on Zoom tonight. Oh, crikey!! Not only had I forgotten all about that but was it half past seven already?

I shot upstairs and logged in. I wasn’t expecting to contribute much or even to enjoy the group discussion tonight as I felt tired. But, actually, I was very surprised how uplifting it was to talk to people who had an opinion on the book and to share our thoughts. Felt better afterwards.

I felt so much better that I felt able to reply, in kind, to Freddie who had WhatsApped me yesterday thus:

Grandchildren. They make your heart sing.

So, that’s all, folks. COVID numbers? Interesting. Very interesting. What do you think?

• 5,342 people tested positive for the virus today
• 17 people died in the community with the virus in the last 24 hours
• 22 people died in hospitals with the virus on 20 & 21 March
• And it’s Day 75 for Lockdown 3; Day 363 since Lockdown 1; Day 371 since our self-imposed Lockdown 1

Take care everyone. God bless.