Nell: That’s me with Alice.
Me: I know. I love that photo of you both.
Nell: So do I. This is a special day for you, isn’t it?
Me: Yes. At 7:14am 42 years ago in a big, scary hospital in West Berlin I welcomed my first born into the world. My wonderful daughter Alice.
Nell: A life-changing moment.
Me: Yes. I remember staring down at her little face hardly able to believe she was mine. She was the most perfect thing I had ever seen.
Nell: I can imagine.
Me: Before I forget, it’s also Thanksgiving Day in Canada so Happy Thanksgiving to all my Canadian family and friends .
Nell: And the same from me. I’ve written Alice a poem. Would you like to hear it?
Me: Very much.
Nell: ‘I’ll say it right now,
As I know you will, too.
How can Alice
Be forty-two?
Not only that,
But goodness me,
Next year she’s expecting
Baby number three.
Exciting times are ahead
Full of happiness and joy
As soon we will welcome
Another wonderful boy.
A little brother for Faye
And Jonathan Sky.
Granny’s so happy
She’s started to cry.
Stop that right now.
It’s Alice’s birthday.
And she must be celebrated
In every possible way.
With cake and candles,
And party hats,
And lots of dogs,
And definitely no cats.’
‘But Alice loves cats.
They have to be there.’
‘Fine, only a few.
Now, pull up a chair.
It’s time to sing
In a loud sort of way,
Happy Birthday dear Alice
Have a wonderful day.’
Me: She’s going to love it. Thank you.
Nell: My pleasure. I know you miss her very much and wish you were there.
Me: I do. I hope she knows how much she is loved.
Nell: She knows.
Me: Yes. Sorry.
