Nell: Now, it’s your birthday today.
Me: I sort of wish it wasn’t to be honest.
Nell: I know it’s all a little bit difficult and worrying because of Kev’s operation later.
Me: Yes, it is. I can’t really concentrate on anything at the moment.
Nell: It’s still your birthday, however, and there is nothing you can do about it, so just make the most of it.
Me: I will try.
Nell: Even if this isn’t perhaps the most ideal kind of birthday there will still be cake and candles and lots of love.
Me: Yes.
Nell: And also one of my poems.
Me: Thank you.
Nell: Would you like to hear it now?
Me: I would like that very much.
Nell: ‘Today is an odd sort of memorable day
Quite hard to describe in a sensible way.
It’s a worrying time
With hospitals and such
When you need people to know
You love them so much.
It is also the birthday of someone dear to us all,
Someone round and romantic
And really quite small.
Someone whimsically witty
But a little bit shy
Who loves making us laugh
And making us cry.
Someone who never
Misses a day
Of Conversations with Nell
Who has so much to say.
So Happy Birthday dear Sara
You know this is true
We love who you are
And we love what you do.’
Me: Oh, thank you, Nell. I love what I do too and it means so much to me that other people enjoy my writing.
Nell: Kev is going to be fine.
Me: Yes.
Nell: And when you bring him home we will all celebrate together.
Me: Yes.
Nell: In the meantime let’s enjoy Sunday Songs with the Welsh corgi choir and a large slice of birthday cake.
Me: Yes. Sorry.
