A day to remember

So John is still languishing at Heartlands Hospital. He got excited when they moved him from one ward to another, and anticipated some interesting information when the doctor called in to see him, only to be told that they were simply holding him in that particular ward until a bed was available at the QE.

“How are you feeling, John?” I asked. “OK,” he said, “if I don’t move around much. I’m fine just laying on the bed, but out of breath if I get up and move about.” And still wobbly. Of course, he stay laying on the bed all day.

Mind you, there was a panic this morning. His laptop wouldn’t work. Now that is news. He was looking forward to watching the rugby, and the room he was in looked promising, with a free TV. Only to find the TV didn’t actually work and the laptop was, therefore, definitely required. But, of course, as only he can, he magicked something from somewhere and got his laptop working in time to watch the games this afternoon. And bliss…. England actually won a game. A good game at that. Something to be cheerful about at least. ‘Winning’ texted Paul to his Dad. ‘Yes. Happy bunny now’ John replied.

I, on the other hand, swanned about this morning until Michael phoned and wondered if I’d like to go over to the park and see the children. That got me galvanised. And we had a wonderful afternoon. Although, when I arrived, there were dark clouds looming and I thought we might get soaked. As it turned out, just before we set off, the heavens opened sending hailstones raining down on us, so we scuttled into the porch to await the storm passing. We had the porch door open, to let the air circulate – a situation that puzzled William, who was keen to shut it and stop the little pieces of ice landing inside.

The storm did pass fairly quickly and so we set off. It was breezy but no longer rainy or any hailstorms and we had a great time, walking past the pond, through the woods, along the football field, where youngsters and their Dads were playing a game, and then on into the playground itself. We wiped the play equipment dry as best we could with titchy bits of tissue, spare masks, and William used his gloves. “Ah….. William, you’ll have wet hands if you do that,” Michael warned. Too late. Wet hands ahoy. William took his gloves off to dry and tucked his hands into his pockets to keep warm.

We had a mosey through the woods and came upon a tree that looked a likely candidate for climbing. Michael thought he’d have a go. William went to help, tripped over a tree stump and, with his hands still in his pockets, face-planted into the muddy undergrowth. Oh, dear. Devoid of wet wipes, and only the well-used bits and bobs we used to wipe down the playground equipment available, it was a bit of a scrabble around to find something with which to clean William’s face. We finally found something that was suitable, and Michael gently tended William’s wounds. Not too bad, just a bloody nose and lip. “Would you like a snack, William?” Michael asked once the crying had stopped, and water had swilled the bloody mouth out. William nodded. A nice veggie straw took his mind off the shock and hurt of falling over and we made our way back home, hands firmly tucked inside coat sleeves, rather than pockets, to keep warm and avoid face-planting again…….

I came home at tea-time, bringing with me a couple of plants that Michael and Danielle seem to be intent on killing off. “I’ll take them to the plant hospital, shall I?” I offered, teasing. So I was busy sorting the plants out when Paul phoned wondering if I’d like a take-way curry. He and Harriet were planning to get a meal from our local take-away and he’d drop one in for me if I’d like one. Hmmm…. difficult choice – left-over pork from a couple of days go? Or a curry? I agonised for all of three seconds.

While waiting for the take-way to be ready, Paul came and did a porch visit, which was just lovely. So good to sit and chat for a few minutes in his busy life. I really enjoyed it.

And so Mother’s Day came early for me today. Michael had bought me some lovely chrysanths – which I was delighted with – and also, unexpectedly, and an absolute bonus – he gave me a heart-shaped wall-hanging of pebble art that Danielle had made. Beautiful. And when Paul arrived this evening, he came bearing a large bouquet of lovely pink and white flowers. Gorgeous. What a lucky girl. Wanna have a look?

So that’s it for today folks. I am not adding anything else. No stats on the current COVID situation. No reference to anything that has been happening in the news today. I don’t want to spoil the memory of a contented-‘ish’ husband, a fabulous afternoon, and an enjoyable evening.

Except this, courtesy of Harriet:

Take care everyone. God bless. Happy Mother’s Day wherever you are.