Friday 18th August 2023
I was faced with the ultimate in human life today. A beautiful tiny baby girl. I haven't seen one up close for years, never mind hold one and today I got to meet the tiny cherub up close.
My friend is over from South Africa to meet her newest granddaughter so after a change of my own plans, I found myself on route to meet the three week old human being.
I took the Overground train out past Tooting and Wimbledon and marvelled at the fun of train journeys while Joanna Lumley soothingly announced the train stations on the PA system. Fortunately the early morning showers had given way to warm sunshine and deepened the glow of the earth.
Little Isla was fast asleep when I met her and the perfect tiny hands and feet were just wanting to be touched. I daren't risk waking her so we walked back to her home and had a great chat.
When Isla's mum, Laurie, said to me it's time to take a cuddle, I immediately went into a clumsy, nervous, doubt about how to hold a newborn. It's not as easy as riding a bicycle, there's more at risk than bruises on my own shins. But eventually I relaxed and memories of the prem babies I'd nursed last century came rushing back into my mind. 3am conversations while doing night shift feeds as I wondered what life story lies ahead of these blank canvases. Isla is fortunate to have two loving parents who have welcomed her into their family unit and are finding their own way through interrupted sleep and the abyss of parenthood.
On the way home, I looked at all the grown ups on the train thinking that all of us were once those teeny tiny humans of potential. What a gift.
I also realised that I can't do my online tour tomorrow with sunglass readers on, and I can't operate my computer equipment without glasses so I got off early and fortunately found a pair. Brixton was buzzing with Friday night fever and I realised that I am feeling like a local. My friend had better come back soon as she might struggle to get me out of her flat, haha.
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