A double date to remember

Yesterday, Tuesday 27th September 2011, was a very special day for me. I spent much of this glorious autumn day sitting outside this hospital watching the world go by, the nervous parents arrive, weary ones leave. I shared my bench with smokers, lunch breakers and waiting relatives. I exhausted the batteries of two mobile phones.

Up on the first floor, behind the frosted glass of the little window on the right, my beautiful girl, born thirty years ago to the day, stayed strong through 43 hours of pain. After a final hour of will-she-won't-she and a little help from across the world, Rosy and Phil brought little Elizabeth into this wonderful world, my first grandchild, as deceptively dainty as her mother, as doggedly determined as her father.

She has the best of names and has come into a network of family and friends so strong that she need never be alone. Welcome, Little Miracle. You've come at just the right time to brighten our world. I wish you courage, serenity and wisdom. Shine.