Early warning kiss
Thu 9th Aug 2007 by Ben Palmer.
Day in day out, I wake up too early to the pitter patter of tiny and not so tiny feet on the stairs up to the loft conversion that is my sanctuary. It's soon followed by a face in mine, and an eskimo kiss.
"Daddy, I watch telleee?"
"Climb in the other side, Emily. Come on, in you come too, Harry."
I love it really, but at six o'clock on a Sunday morning? Well, you know.
The last two mornings I've woken just to sunlight, with no little ones, because they've been with my parents, probably rubbing their sticky noses into the dogs'. That's my Summer Holiday treat and I look forward to it, but the house has been eerily quiet.
Even though I've meant to work solidly on my Project 'X', the silence is more distracting than the sound of pencil on colouring book, lego brick on brick or, "Daddy, I'm bored, what can I do?" and I've spent as much time reading other blogs, realising that I should read more. I'm going to start adding some to my blogroll so I don't forget, but in the meantime;
"Can I have them back, now?"
tags: children holiday
I recognize the state well. I too have a Project X and struggle to do anything, even when my daughter is away ...
Having read everything here I can't help but think you're doing a fantastic job. I'll keep coming back and will blogroll you immediately.
Sahd.
Thank you, sahd. It's nice to know I'm being read, and while I'm not always sure how good a job I can manage, it means a lot to have other parents' support. Thank you for the add to your blogroll.
Hi Ben,
Thank you for the information that your website contains. I came across it purely by accident and I'm very glad that I did. Even though I gave birth to a baby girl in February, I had no idea about this disease and its tragic consequences. I'm so sorry that you and your family have suffered at the hands of a disorganised and often incompetent health service. I'm sad that, in a Western country where we're supposedly lucky to have the NHS, things like this are still allowed to happen.
May I ask how many signatures are required to really get the attention of Downing Street? I will forward the link to all my friends who have been through the NHS system and ask them to send it on.
Congratulations on working tirelessly to see that your wife did not lose her life in vane. My best wishes go to you and your children.
Belinda
Thank you for your kind words and support, Belinda. I don't know how many signatures will get proper attention. Downing Street promises to respond to any petition that has over 200 signatures, but a response isn't the same as taking action. I don't think there's a 'minimum' that I'm looking for, but if 10% of the women who gave birth in the last year signed (i.e. approx 60,000 signatures) then they should take proper notice. If the dads signed too, then they'd have to start.
I have often wondered how many deaths it takes to get an issue noticed. One is not enough, it would seem, but I really don't want it to take another.
Please do encourage all of your friends to sign, and their families too - it can and will make a difference - I am not going to stand by and let Jessica's death be in vain! Thank you so much.
Have only just found you via SAHD. Having read your posts and your moving account of how you lost your darling wife I can only add my admiration for what you are doing.
Good luck with the petition
Thank you, @themill, for your support. I've also just enjoyed reading your blog, and am adding a link.