Me: It’s Chris’s birthday today.
Nell: Yes, I know.
Me: Look at those two together.
Nell: Young Marvin has written him a poem.
Me: How lovely.
Nell: Would you like to hear it?
Me: Very much.
Nell: ‘My dad Chris is 34 today
So, let’s all sing and shout ’Hurrah!’
Let’s have doughnuts with our morning coffee,
Or cake,
Or sausages,
Or sticky toffee.’
Me: Sticky toffee what? Pudding?
Nell: Sticky toffee anything. It’s Chris’s birthday.
Me: Fair enough.
Nell: May I continue reading?
Me: Yes.
Nell: ‘Uncle Dave suggested bacon,
Auntie Harriet suggested egg,
Great Aunt Nell says I’m mistaken
And Dad might want some cuddles instead.’
Me: Maybe as well, not instead.
Nell: ‘When I asked my Great Aunt Poppy
What exactly she would choose to make.
She suggested a tasty roast dinner,
Or a lovely piece of steak.‘
Me: She has a point there.
Nell: ‘But I know treats aren’t everything.
Dad has shown me this is true.
And so has my dear Mummy Shannon,
And actually Granny, so have you.
It’s love that makes the world go round.
It’s love that makes the perfect day,
So let’s all say ‘Happy Birthday Chris’
And send some great big love his way.’
Me: What a sweet poem.
Nell: Yes. Excellent work for such a young animal.
Me: He’s obviously treading in your pawsteps.
Nell: Indeed.
Me: How can my little boy be 34? It seems like only yesterday he was building sandcastles on the beach.
Nell: He’ll be doing that again in a few months time when he visits us with the whole family.
Me: Yes, he will.
Nell: Shall we have cake with our tea? Poppy has made one in honour of Chris’s birthday.
Me: Yes, please.
Nell: No tears. This is a celebration.
Me: Yes. Sorry.
