Hello, I’m Betty, and the 2019 gift of our granddaughter, Bess, came late in life – in fact, as we were about to become octogenarians! Just before she was born, my husband was diagnosed with cancer, and afterwards, the scourge of Covid-19 began. However, what should have been a very dark chapter, was unbelievably lightened by this little ray of sunshine. We spent a precious ten days with Bess and her lovely parents just after she was born and really got to bond with her.
Then, unfortunately, restrictions on visiting during Covid came, so we followed her progress through photographs, phone and computer. Thank goodness for modern technology! Restrictions were gradually eased and then came the wonderful days when we were able to meet with family outdoors and eventually return to normality.
We ‘oldies’ are now living in the world through a child’s eye of magic, princesses, fairies, dragons and monsters, and all the wonderful new children’s books that are around these days. My husband and I enjoy reading and making up stories with Bess and going on make-believe adventures with her and her imaginary friends. It’s wonderful too when she stands on a chair to help me prepare meals, always asking for a taster. We were both honoured to have parts in a ballet she made up recently in which she played a swan, and we were cast as trees because “your legs don’t work so well now”!
Bess has brought unbelievable joy into our lives. She loves nature and all its wonders, spending lots of time outside, whatever the weather. She is growing up to be such a caring soul, bright, inquisitive, chatty, noisy, and she has a great sense of fun and humour. Of course, like all small children, she has her moments and is very strong-willed!
We have such lovely times together and she has been God-sent. The only thing we wish is that we were twenty years younger!
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Published in issue 86. Accurate at the time this issue went to print. Photo not of author.
