Here's another picture - received within the last half hour - of our unborn grandchild, resting in our daughter's womb, unaware of corona or even night and day. He or she has never seen another human face and does not know a single nursery rhyme. I will sing for him or her - "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" and "The Grand Old Duke of York" over and over. I hope to live long enough to pick brambles with this precious child. Due on January 6th or thereabouts.
The lament that was in my mind as I wrote "In The Time of Corona" was a Scottish tune: "Niel Gow's Lament to His Second Wife". In the late eighteenth century, Niel Gow was Scotland's finest fiddler. His second wife was Margaret Urquhart. She died in 1805 when Niel Gow was seventy eight years old. Surely, not only is the tune a lament for Margaret but also for a life well lived - a life of music in changing times. Please listen:-
Beautiful music, thank you. Having lost my husband and 3 dear friends during the past year, 'lament' sum's it up well for me...though Corona has also given an opportunity to slow down, treasure friends and relatives, and be grateful for small lovely moments...like your mountain hare.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry for your losses Charlotte but I thank you for calling by and for leaving such a thoughtful, poignant comment. Look after yourself.
DeleteThank you. May your wish for blackberrying come true!
DeleteThat piece of music was lovely and sad. But that ultrasound image of your new grandbaby, so beautiful and filled with hope. Perhaps that's why grandparents and grandchildren work so well together, the beginning and the end, sadness and hopefullness, two sides of the pendulum, a fine balance.
ReplyDeleteThey are heading into life as we are heading out. I see what you mean Grandma Lily.
DeleteWell, you know by now how precious I find my grandchildren. Each one of them is a newborn star rising in the sky. You just wait...
ReplyDeleteI have a feeling that is not the last picture of this gorgeous baby we'll be seeing. Or at least I hope not!
There may be a couple more pictures in the future - that's true.
DeleteIt looks as though Beau and Peep are being viewed through the keyhole in that photo.
ReplyDeleteIsn't modern day science wonderful, that you can see your grandchild's face before he/she is even born.
Lying there in the womb. We were all there once. As you say JayCee - wonderful!
DeleteBeautiful music. And how amazing to see the face of your grandchild and think of all that is to come. It's good to have something to look forward to.
ReplyDelete(I had to look up the word "gallimaufry"!)
Thanks Steve. I use "gallimaufry" most days. It kind of sums up my life.
DeleteMy mam had a matchstick drawing of me scribbled on her belly. In fact we were that poor the woman next door gave birth to me.
ReplyDeleteSeriously the ultrasonic technology is amazing.
I thought your mam won you at the bingo. Second prize. First prize was a Christmas hamper.
DeleteI was a December baby. So you could be right😄.
DeleteYP that image is amazing....and congratulations to you all....boy or girl your grandchild will do something to your heart that you have never felt before.x
ReplyDeleteI hope you are not forecasting a heart attack Libby! Thanks.
DeleteFew people write laments like the Scots do and the Scots fiddle is the perfect instrument too. Off the top of my head the only non-Scots fiddle lament which is as famous and tugs at the heart strings as effectively is Jay Ungar's Ashokan Farewell.
ReplyDeleteI will seek that out Graham.
DeleteThat image is amazing in its detail.
ReplyDeleteApropos of nothing: Once upon a time I was told that the most stressful event of our life is that of navigating the birth canal and being born. It possibly is - though how these things are measured I do not know. On the whole I'd rather be born than alive and faced with an executioner. Or worse.
Best wishes to your daughter. It's an exciting time. A little more rest as she is going into the end spurt won't go amiss.
To quote Goethe, not easily translated: "All beginnings are joyful. A doorstep is the place of anticipation."
U
The unborn baby in the image has no idea that the passage to life will be so challenging. Have you ever been down a pothole in limestone country? Sometimes it is such a squeeze and you fear you will get stuck. Thanks for the Goethe quote.
DeleteHow wonderful to see the image of your first grandchild, but I do hope you haven't already started to argue over he/she takes after....!
ReplyDeleteWishing Frances all the very best for the months ahead.
You are very kind CG.
DeleteI can't wait to read about all the richness this child will bring to your life, Neil. You're going to make an amazing grandfather.
ReplyDeleteI will be happy to share many more moments with Auntie Jennifer.
DeleteYes, covid has brought some sadness and loss. However, we'll get over it and be better for it.
ReplyDeleteA million people have already got over it.
DeleteIn the first picture it looks as if you are looking at Beau and Peep through a keyhole. Very nice photo.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful picture of your beautiful grandchild! That must be a 3D sonogram as it shows such detail. I am happy for you all to have this little miracle!
You always leave such kind and supportive comments Bonnie. Thank you.
DeleteWaiting for your first grandchild, a time of great happiness, especially the years ahead as she/he grows.
ReplyDeleteI just hope I get to see him/her grow for a few years at least.
DeleteI wondered if I would see my Grandchildren grow up but am please to say that I have. I have 5 of them and 3 managed to get to Uni, 1 is a policeman in Scotland and the other Grand daughter is just 12. I wonder if I'll manage to be here for Great Grandchildren?
ReplyDeleteLove the sheep photo.
Briony
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