To Love a Child

This is very personal. Hard on the heels of an emotional and difficult bank holiday weekend. And will not be appreciated by the person concerned.

But then if you can’t cause your own child a bit of embarrassment then what is the point?

Firstly, I don’t think it will come as too much of a surprise to most people who know me that I was never overly fond of children – as a concept, in reality, and certainly not in groups.

And then my son arrived – eternal thanks for that Di – and I was sold. Well, sold on him anyway. Everyone else’s children, still not so much.

It was instant, deep, life-changing, and the most joyful pain I have ever felt. From the first minute I was attached to someone who I could never not care about, could never ignore, could never not think about every day.

Whether by fluke, or good parenting – at least by his mother – he has turned into an adult, a man of real value. I would like to claim some credit, but from wherever, he has arrived at the person he is.

Over the years he has been ridiculously honest, honourable, deeply caring of both friends and justice, and exceedingly good company.

For most of the time life progresses, he has grown, developed, evolved, and the years pass. It has been at those moments of joyous success, and emotional crisis, that the stages have been marked.

And at those times I am tempted to see some of my traits in him. An unwillingness to voice personal concerns so as not to hurt. And not the greatest of financial acumen.

But throughout, honest and honourable and caring. That’s all him.

In more recent times it has been interesting to see the roles reversed. From me worrying about him – which I will always do – he has worried about me. From cared for to caring for.

And now it moves round again.

To be a part of a good life is a blessing. And whatever the future holds for that life, it will always be a blessing.

I am not a fool. Besotted, but not a fool.

He isn’t perfect. Thankfully. But he is the best person I know, I will always be grateful that I have the chance to love him, and the opportunity to show it.

As a wise woman said to me yesterday, we are part of the parents club. It is what we do.

So, to every member of the club, however hard it is in each circumstance to show that love, to feel the pain of that love, my respect to you all.

He is mine, and he is yours. And each of yours is mine.