Here’s to Love and Life!

We had a busy weekend – of course, can’t quite remember it all now, but still!

On Saturday we had an easy start to the day, John having a bit of a lie-in while I did a writing workshop until mid-day. It was great fun to be ‘writing for well-being’ again and I enjoyed it. At the mid-morning break, I went down to make a cuppa and John said Paul and Freddie were going to be calling in. How lovely!

I was still upstairs when they arrived and I went down about twenty minutes later. John was on the sofa, wrapped in a blanket with a blood pressure monitor on his arm. “What’s going on?” I said. “Dad fainted,” Paul replied. Freddie chipped in, “I thought he was playing dead.” Oh. Ah.

Apparently, John had got up a bit too fast when he answered the door to let them in and he was just giving Freddie a cuddle, when the next thing he knew – he was on the floor, eating carpet.

Low blood pressure. He has suffered from that for a while and the advice everyone gives is: ‘drink more water’. So we plied him with water and all manner of things that we could think of that might increase his blood pressure.

He did improve as the day wore on but he felt a little bit unsteady. He heroically did as he was told all day because he was looking forward to a trip to London the next day to watch the rugby.

After the shocking episode of John passing out, we enjoyed the family’s visit. It was particularly nice because I was feeling sufficiently better to be able to play with Freddie and it was an absolute delight. Harriet joined us after she’d played hockey (and won 4-1!) and so we had a nice relaxing time for a good few hours.

Once I was reassured that the ol’ man wasn’t going to do any more passing out, I took myself off to the Kenilworth Newbies’ to babysit for the evening. They were having their Valentines celebration early – going out for cocktails and a meal. They had a wonderful time and I was so pleased they did. It’s not always all sunshine and roses when you’re looking after three boys, is it?

The babysitting stint wasn’t arduous though. The boys are lovely and they all settled down for bed very well – although Daddy did have to settle Thomas who was being a little monkey – and I sang lullabies to William. Smashing.

Oliver woke up at nine o’clock and wasn’t going to be pacified by any shushing, patting, stroking, hugging, a sip of water or a sip of milk. Nor was he particularly ready to be pacified being rocked in my arms. After fifteen minutes or so, I popped him into the buggy and walked him round and round the kitchen, whereupon he soon fell back to sleep. I think Chester, the dog, thought I’d gone mad as he watched me doing the rounds……..hehehe.

We were up early on Sunday to get John ready to set off for Twickenham. He was in a high state of anxiety after his ‘episode’ on Saturday, but he got all the kit together that he was going to need, and Paul was a really strong, reassuring presence.

Paul arrived not long after ten o’clock, stowed the wheelchair in the boot of the car, tucked John into the front seat and, after anxious check of said ‘kit’, they set off. One minute later, they were back. “What is it?” I wondered. “My disabled badge. I haven’t got it.” John said. “I don’t know where it is.” We had very carefully removed it from our car the day before and I thought John had popped it into his coat pocket. He wasn’t so sure. Anyway, Paul, checked the coat pockets and yes, sure enough, there it was. Phew!! On your way, boys! Enjoy!

I then got ready to go out with Harriet and Freddie to go to the cinema to see an early showing of ‘Puss in Boots’. Great fun but what a scary film…… The cinema was almost empty so I didn’t adopt my persistent habit of worrying too much about crowds.

We then met up with the Kenilworth Newbies for a roast dinner at The Green Man – all very enjoyable and quite relaxed!

Great excitement when we got home to know that John and Paul were on the telly as the rugby whizzed past they were sitting. We could even see John applauding so we were delighted that they had such good seats.

Today, of course, is Valentine’s Day and we have done the lovely things that are expected: we exchanged loving wishes and had a romantic meal for two. In fact John surpassed all expectations and wrote me the best poem ever. I shall treasure it – it’s fabulous.

Take care everyone. God bless. Here’s to Life and Love.