Improvised Picnic

Pique-nique improvisé


Yesterday afternoon, Cathal brought his mum and myself to the RDS so that they could collect their official entry tag for the Women Mini Marathon taking place on Monday. The Women’s World Exhibition was on in the same place, and between the goodie bag given to each lady collecting her tag, and all the free stuff handed around, including extra “for the little one” – we learnt a lesson: take a child with you to these events, you get more… - on the way out we were able to sit on the grass and have an improvised snack-picnic.

Hier après-midi, Cathal a emmené sa maman et moi-même chercher nos dossards officiels pour le Mini Marathon Féminin qui a lieu lundi prochain. L’exposition Le Monde de la Femme avait lieu au même endroit, et entre le sac à surprises donné à chaque femme qui prenait son dossard, et tous les produits gratuits distribués, y compris « pour le petit » - nous avons appris une leçon : allez à ce genre de chose avec un enfant, vous récoltez plus… en sortant nous avons pu nous asseoir sur l’herbe et improviser un goûter-pique-nique.

Trying the free yogurt…
Essayant le yaourt gratuit…

Do I like it?
Est-ce que j’aime ça?

Yum! Delicious!
Yam! Délicieux!

Full tummy!
Ventre plein!

Now all the Mammy and I need to do is walk the 10k on Monday. Apparently there will be more than 41,000 women running, jogging and walking it for charities… it’s largest all women event in the world! After all my training, I can’t wait to do it.

Maintenant il ne reste plus qu’à la Maman et moi-même de marcher les 10km lundi. Apparemment il y aura plus de 41.000 femmes courant, joggant ou marchant pour des œuvres caritatives… c’est le plus grand événement totalement féminin au monde! Après tout mon entraînement, je suis maintenant impatiente de participer.

Grand, isn’t it?

Words are strange phenomena... The same word can mean so many things to different people. Especially when a “cultural” slant is brought into the situation.

For example, in English-English, the adjective “grand” means: “splendid, magnificent, imposing, dignified… of chief importance… of the highest rank… excellent… great” – Hum hum, went back to my Oxford dictionary for this one!

But in Irish-English, the meanings are so much more intricate. For example:

“How are you today? - Ah sure, I’m grand all together!” = not too bad, can't complain.

Or: “Isn’t it a grand morning?” = usually talking about the Irish weather, quite nice, especially if no rain!

Or: “Do you want me to keep doing what I am doing? – No, leave it, it’s grand like this” = It will do as it is…

I know that, when talking to people outside of Ireland, I have to be careful with the words I use, as some don’t have quite the same meaning. “Grand” is one usually at the top of my list!

Over the last while I have been tagged by a few people, but life assumed a level of intensity that did not leave much room for a response - Cheri and Hammie, I am sure you’ll understand. But there is one, a quick and easy one, that I kept at the back of my mind, for when things would quiet down again, and it would be time to reflect and then move on.

So Jazzy, a little late, these are my 5 takes on why and when Life Is Grand:

- Because Cathal has gone through the surgery, and his little heart is pumping away much better than it has never before, and life is returning to some nice routine.

- When I hold him in my arms, when he snuggles his face against my neck, and feels so comfortable and trusting of me that he allows me to rock him to sleep.

- When on Saturday mornings I sleep late, then enjoy a slow lazy breakfast in bed with the good book – probably my favourite time of the week.

- When on weekday mornings I pull back the curtains and find these beautiful dawns greeting me:

Aren't they a sight? I took these photos on separate mornings over the last two weeks. Such beauty is enough to make up for the ungodly hour my alarm comes on!

- Because not only I have a job – not every one has these days - but one I really enjoy doing. I do not remember finding it so easy to go in every day with any other job I have had over the years.

So yes, Jazzy, generally speaking, Life is Grand…

I am not going to impose on people to contribute their five reasons for thinking that life is grand. However, if Mel, Cheri and Elbog, from their side of the globe, want to join in this little exercise in “Irishness”, be my guest!

Home!

Yes, at last, after 6 long weeks, Cathal went home this evening...!

HOORAY!!!!

What an adventure this has been! His Mammy will soon pick up the threads on her blog, I am sure, and I will be able to resume my “Grand” position.

In the mean time, I want to say a few “thank you’s” to several people – sorry if I sound like some recipient of an Oscar, a Bafta or some other award:

- All of you who read this blog over the last 6 weeks, and came back, and back again.
- All of you who left comments, or emailed me directly – it was hard to keep up-beat and positive all the time, and these helped oh! so much!
- All of you who said prayers, lit candle, did little “get well dances”, sent positive thoughts and good vibes into the ether and around the word, and tried some magicking (crossed fingers, winks and clicking of red shoes included).

It is amazing the level of support felt through this little blog, and very much appreciated.

And then, to family and friends who emailed, texted and phoned… thank you too!

Last but not least, I want to thank my agnostic god (or should I say Goddess? As for a long time this power higher than me has felt like a “Mother”) for helping Cathal through this and out the other side safe and well; and for looking after my own child and the Dad, and giving them the incredible strength they have demonstrated.

Now Cathal, his Mammy and the Dad can take a deep breath, and finally get back to normal life.

Ok, time for some virtual champagne – I think there’s one bottle left, that we didn’t drink it all. Isn’t that right Jazzy? ;-)

Looking Good…?

Last Monday, Cathal started “eating” – meaning that food and nutrients entered his body via his mouth, not the IV tube, for the first time in over 3 weeks. Though we are not sure he appreciates the hospital’s particular delicacies, his mammy’s cuisine is so much nicer! But still...

On Thursday, the pesky NG tube was pulled out, for good – and this time Cathal did not take care of this delicate operation himself, he allowed his nurse to do it!

Yesterday (Friday) he had a quick visit to theatre, for removal under general anaesthetic of the central line. He was very woozy afterwards, and appreciated hugs and cuddles even more than before - I made sure I stepped in, any opportunity and I am there...

So no more tubes sticking into him or out of him. Hooray!

If all goes well over the weekend, he could be going home early next week... even very early next week... I am not saying any more, not to jinx anything.



So I am keeping my fingers crossed all weekend...

and my toes...

and my eyes...

just for good measure...

.

Early Easter Sunday Morning

Tôt le matin, dimanche de Pâques


I have not seen Cathal in such a good form since the surgery as when I arrived early this morning in the hospital. Later on, he even started flirting with his nurse… That is our Cathal! A really pleasure to see him like this.

Je n’ai pas vu Cathal d'aussi bonne forme depuis l’opération que quand je suis arrivée à l’hôpital de bonne heure ce matin. Plus tard, il a même commencé à flirter avec son infirmière… Ca c’est notre Cathal ! Un vrai plaisir de le voir ainsi.

And yes, we do speak a lot of French! And we admire the new bigger room Cathal is now in, away from the nurses station… It’s a good sign, no need for as much close supervision!

Et oui, nous parlons beaucoup en français! Et nous admirons la nouvelle chambre plus grande où Cathal est maintenant, plus loin que l’autre de la station des infirmières… C’est bon signe, plus besoin d’autant de surveillance !

Message for Reid: I told Cathal about you, and he says “Hi, Buddy!” – well, at least I think that’s what he meant by “Ah ta!”