16 today!
The one who made me a mother!!
Believe them, everyone, when they say time flies by on wings.
It does, just swifter. Peregrine Falcon fast.
I blinked and might have missed it, like a film in fast forward, the plot points feel blurry.
But I was there, through the early colicky nights that pained us both, the milestones of moving schools, new cities, building friendships not least, our own, those miles of cuddles through childhood which became less frequent once puberty hit and the fact I need to balance on a stool to reach him.
It’s like we might have role-reversed along the way but I missed that too because growth creeps up on you slowly, like aging, and before you know it, you still feel 16 but have a 16 year old son beside you.
Born at Queen Charlotte’s back in 2010, the hospital was enveloped in uncharacteristic snow for London, even on January 10th, unrelenting, for the three whole days and nights I spent there with the tiny, chubby stranger I’d only just met I somehow felt I’d always known.
Alarmingly, he’s now 6 ‘1, sharp jawed, doe eyed, the double of Jacob Elodi so everyone says, cerebral with a Sixth Form scholarship in his back pocket and a bright future ahead.
He of contagious laugh, charming smile, strong sense of self worth (that took me 40 years) and most importantly, an ever-enquiring mind. Happy birthday sweet son of mine! We did it. 16 whole years!
Pre-order my debut children's book
Greek Myths, Folktales & Legends for 9-12 year olds
Published by Scholastic. Available on Amazon
