Tuesday 24 August 2010

The Future is Bouncy












Ever since his birth I have avoided looking forward, choosing instead to be grateful for each 'present' with Boy Wonder. The future was not our country, we had no business there. Today, on the occasion of Boy Wonder's seventh birthday we allowed ourselves the indulgence of a day-trip to the future. We fearlessly planned a party but not just any come-over-we're-having cake-event, this was a full-blown, bouncy-castle bonanza.

It was delivered shortly after noon, he had to stand on a chair to watch through the kitchen window as it inflated before his incredulous eyes. His sister swelled with pride, hardly daring to believe that this festive event was destined, at last, for her back garden. The call came from the other kidney minutes later, 'the guy says he needs two kids to test this yoke'. They were like bullets out of a gun, whizzing out the back door. The bouncing began to shrieks of laughter and whoops of delight; the facility being thoroughly tested and declared party-ready before the cousins arrived. The afternoon was dry and we settled around a garden table, which creaked under the weight of palette-tickling party food. Pots of tea punctuated the ease of the gathering, all relishing the now while acknowledging but not dwelling on the past.

This is, dare I say it, yet another milestone; his birthday has magically morphed from difficult memory to joyous celebration. He has asserted his seven-year-old self and demanded his own gifts, written his own guest list and dictated his own day. I had never let myself travel as far as to even imagine this day. To see him seemlessly, breathlessly and brazenly snatch it, has been one of the greatest thrills of my life. Long may you bounce my boy, long may you laze in the love of all around you, long may you and your sister make us feel like we have glimpsed into the future and been granted the world.

Cheers,
Ann

6 comments:

Unknown said...

Ann,
How beautifully you have expressed your feelings on the wonderful occasion of Rory's 7th birthday. What a simply glorious day for you all - and even the weather obliged! I'm sure boy wonder slept soundly after his brilliant day - and I noticed how his big sister was so proud when I visited briefly, alas too late to see all the hilarity on the bouncy castle!! You have my total admiration - your strength and love for your boy is beyond belief.
May you share many more happy birthdays.
Love to you all
Joan xx

steph said...

Whadya mean? I didn't miss the party of the year, did I??? :-(

I really have welled up reading this, Ann

I'm gonna luxuriate in your happiness for the rest of the day now.

p.s. I nearly forgot... Please give the wee man (forgive the pun!) a big birthday (((hug))) from me.

And good luck to big cousin David on his cycle next week!

AnnB said...

Thanks for your lovely comments Steph and Joan - isn't it amazing to be posting such positive news? Boy Wonder is still on a high - any visitor to the house gets held up on the off chance they might cough up a neatly wrapped gift!

Anonymous said...

JOYEUX ANNIVERSAIRE ( en retard!!!) au petit guerrier.

Pictures are simply great and festive. I bet you had a mighty craic for this special event ...

Je pense à toi ma pucette et à toute la petite tribu.

Bises+tendresse
Véro

Ali said...

Found your blog through your comments on the Facebook Electric Picnic site. I just wanted to say how beautifully you expressed your happiness at the celebration in question. It's just perfect, not too melodramatic, and captures the joy of the children. Well done and keep writing, it's an inspiration to read.

AnnB said...

Hey Ali - welcome and many thanks for your lovely comment. I think Boy Wonder's story is a real example of the value of supporting the fantastic work done by Temple St. I know I'm biased, but I'll take any excuse to shout about the wonders of that hospital!