7 January 2023

Alarm

This was Phoebe earlier today - pictured at the end of a play tunnel when she attended another two year old's birthday party. Actually, Phoebe will not be two until next Sunday. I think this image - clicked by my daughter - captures her down to a tee - the innate happiness and her sense of mischief.

On Wednesday and Friday mornings she is my alarm clock. As a night owl, I usually sleep till late. Shirley brings Phoebe back to our house in her car. The front door opens and the granddaughter marches in.  She stands at the bottom of our stairs and yells:-
Grandpa! Grandpa!
This stirs me from my slumbers and bleary-eyed I stumble to the top of the stairs, yelling back:-
Phoebe! Phoebe!
Of course, it won't always be like this but right now having her as my human alarm clock is a beautiful thing and I am glad I have written this down in a blogpost for remembering in the future. That's all.

37 comments:

  1. She's so bright-eyed and happy looking! A darling little girl.

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    1. She will be even more bright-eyed when she hears about her rich American auntie in South Carolina!

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  2. There is nothing in the world like having grandchildren burst in the door calling for you. It is so incredibly special.

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    1. Previously, I never would have guessed it.

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  3. Grandpa has written down much material to jog his memory.

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  4. That is one happy-go-lucky little girl!

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  5. Jack stands at the top of the stairs and yells Poppa because my hubby gets up at 4am, so he's always awake before me and Jack.
    Phoebe looks full of mischief.

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    1. 4am! That sounds like a good time to go to bed!

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  6. I treasure these moments when we're so important to them. Such a sweet stage!

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    1. And so easily forgotten as months pass by.

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  7. Lovely photo. Phoebe now has real character in her face and it will only be subtle changes from now. I doubt you will forget the interchange with the human alarm clock.

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    1. Sadly, I have forgotten so much about my own children.

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  8. It‘s a great picture and perfectly illustrates this post.
    I have never experienced a human alarm, only my cats demanding breakfast, or to be let out, or to be let in. But when I was Phoebe‘s age, my sister and I often acted as alarms for our Mum on weekends (never for Dad, as we would be up very early anyway).

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    1. Have you still got cats Meike?

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    2. No, not since my last one died of old age in 2013. I am away most weekends and it would just not be fair to any pet. And of course you‘d know if I had a cat - it would appear on my blog regularly.

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    3. Yes. That's what I thought. Here's Felix at my window. Here's Felix in my bath... Oh no, here's Felix doing his business on my bed!

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  9. I can't think of a cuter alarm clock!

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    1. Maybe I will get her to do a recording of "CAROL! CAROL!" to wake you each day. Your dog will go crazy.

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  10. Cherish every moment YP. We looked after Tom while his Mum worked, taking and picking him up from school etc, it was a joy and I have many happy memories and photos of this time. She looks adorable.
    Briony
    x

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    1. I think the unexpected arrival of Young Tom was one of the best episodes of your married life. You nurtured him with love and common sense and paved the way for the adult life he now enjoys.

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  11. That's a great photo! And yes, you will look back on these days as precious, no doubt.

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    1. In this life I have learnt the frustration of not being able to hang on to things. They slip away.

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  12. If I ever have a Near Death Experience, this is what I hope it will be like.
    The tunnel of light and an angelic face at the end of it.

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    1. "Come to me ye sinner and rest here for eternity in Heaven's playroom! How do you like your halo? Bright enough?"

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  13. What a wonderful wake up call. Just be careful you don't tumble down the stairs in your pyjamas.

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    1. I haven't worn pyjamas since I was last in hospital - several years ago.

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  14. Happy Birthday coming soon for Phoebe! Wishing her a life willed with fun adventures, good health, and lots of love!

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    1. I would sell my soul to give her that Ellen.

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  15. Grandchildren are the best!

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    1. How many and how old are yours Grandpaw?

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  16. I will never second-guess either of my children for not wanting children of their own. What with bigotry and shootings and the Donald's of the world making life unknown and unkind. But, I have to admit to wishing there was at least one little being that would hollar over the phone, "Guess what I did today, Grandma!" Bless her. She is a gem of a girl, Neil.

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    1. Circumstances affect life choices. Sometimes things are not meant to be. However, I wish that a blessed grandchild had ridden on The Big Bear's back while you knitted a bonnet or sang a lullaby. Phoebe has become the jewel of my eye.

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  17. I have this same shot of my William when he was Phoebe's age. Now he will be 12 next month. I'm not sure how this happened, esp. since it seems to have transpired in the matter of a few months, instead of years.

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  18. A funny story. My son absent miindedly picked up a toy that the baby was reaching for and handed it to her. It was the 4 year old's toy. She came around the corner and saw this travesty and set up a mighty howl. Her mother, ever patient explained that now that the baby was able to reach for things, perhaps it would be wise to put her special toys in either her bedroom or the playroom. Iris wailed, "That won't help! You take that baby EVERYWHERE!!!!!"

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  19. Phoebe is the best alarm clock a grandpa could have.

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