Twenty years ago today

She really didn't feel like herself at all - fretful, worried, tearful - not what she should be feeling like anyway. Why, oh why she asked herself, before finding tears welling yet again - no reason she could think of - she should be filled with happiness - she knew that, - it wasn't as if this was the first time she had been in this situation. So why did she feel so low?? Perhaps because the 4 year old was so obviously wanting mummy - and he couldn't have cuddles here, perhaps it was because the older one had been so ill just recently? She only knew she didn't feel right being here - she needed to be at home.
The woman with the trolley was suddenly at her side - "Are you OK J-----?" she asked gently. Her wise eyes took in the younger woman's face - the brightness of the unshed tears, and the tension in her body, and she nodded to herself before smiling kindly at the woeful figure "Milk in your tea?" she said pouring a cup and placing it on the table in front of the girl, adding two biscuits to the saucer. "Drink your tea and have your elevenses" she said "I'll be back shortly".
The younger woman stared at the tea cup - maybe it would make her feel a little better - she picked up the cup and moved over to the window. Trees filled with blossom and blue skies - it looked like it was going to be a beautiful Bank Holiday tomorrow - and here she was, stuck in this room! She sipped her tea - "I want to go home" she thought again and once more tears welled in her eyes "I want to go home". A murmer of voices caught her attention - - looking up she saw two figures walking towards her - the woman from earlier, with a man. Oh dear - I wonder what he wants this time, she thought - she made a effort to smile - really he was very kind - "Good morning J-----" he said , "How are you today?" J----- answered in as cheerful a manner as she could - "Doing quite well I think". The man picked up a clipboard and began to study it carefully - he looked again at the older woman with him - "Are you sure it would be the best thing to do?" he asked her. "Absolutely certain" she answered briskly.
The man put the clipboard down - "Well - since it is such a lovely day - and as Sister assures me that this is the best thing to do for you - I think you should call your husband and get him to come along to collect you and your new daughter - and take you both home" he smiled at the young woman sitting on the bed, holding the new baby in her arms. "But make sure you get plenty of rest now" he said as he turned away.

Sister looked at the young woman and smiled - "I think this just might prevent the Baby Blues" she said shrewdly - "Let's get baby dressed now shall we?"

She was quite right - it did prevent the baby blues - which I hadn't suffered from before with my other children - and I am eternally grateful to Sister M---- not only for recognising its start - but for persuading Mr C-------- that I really should be sent home. Because you see - the older one was just recovering from, and the 4 year old was just starting with - the chicken pox. And much as they both loved daddy - they both wanted mummy as they hadn't been allowed into the maternity hospital to see her.

Today is the twentieth anniversary of that day - when we brought our new baby daughter home - the day before the May Day holiday. This post is also part of Storytelling Sunday - hosted by Sian at From High in the Sky.
Full details can be found here
Thanks for stopping by
'til later

Bannaghtyn J x