Well, I’m not sure where April has fled to – yet another month that has sped by, leaving me wondering how I can slow time down!
Here are my magical moments:
1. As part of Nathan’s Christmas present, he was given tickets to see Derren Brown at a local theatre, and Andre and I tagged along! Nathan and Andre have seen him twice before, but it was my first time – and I was a little apprehensive, hoping I wouldn’t end up being hypnotised! In fact, I found it really interesting and very clever. According to the menfolk it wasn’t as intense as previous shows, but Nathan said he enjoyed it more because of that. However I can’t tell you any more than that because it’s a secret!
2. April also brought Easter which meant some down time and rest, and a chance to spend quality time with family. On Easter Sunday we had my mum over, and on Easter Monday we all visited Andre’s father in his new care home. Nathan isn’t the biggest fan of chocolate so we gave him a pork pie instead! As you can see from the photo he appreciated it!
3. My father-in-law moved into the local care home at the end of March, and, whilst it was a hard decision for my husband and his sister to make it was definitely the right one. He is now closer to us and in a place that is accessible for Nathan and Cerys to go and visit him. We know he is safe, being well looked after, and is now clean, tidy and eating well. It will take some time for him to adjust, but slowly he is getting used to it. The time Cerys and I have spent with him when we have visited is magical and precious to us.
4. As the weather has improved our thoughts have returned to the garden and so we have planted a variety of bedding plants in pots, and tried to work out what will grow in our clay soil – if you have any tips please do let me know… I have also sown some forget me not seeds in memory of my Dad and Bernie, our daughter who ‘dances in the stars’ and who would have been 30 this weekend. I’m hoping they grow as it will be lovely to have a visual sign that they remain in our hearts.
5. Finally, the MOST exciting thing to happen this month is that Cerys went away for a whole weekend on her own, with her carers! No mum, dad or big brother! Obviously for many nearly 22 year olds this is no big deal (several will have set off to see the world!) but for Cerys this is a very big deal. Even though she has her own care team they do not cover the nights, and, for the most part I am always here if there are any queries. Apart from a slight wobble on the first night she had a fantastic time – she’s been swimming twice, been entertained by an ABBA tribute, played bingo, won on the slot machines and stayed in an accessible caravan. It’s everything she wanted and now she wants to do it again! I must pay tribute to her amazing carers, without whom it wouldn’t have happened and they made it so wonderful for her.
Next month will see Cerys’ birthday so I am sure I will have many magical moments to share. Until then, what were your magical moments in April?