h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

And yes, I am thinking beyond Christmas, to the birth of my fourth grandchild. What will this world hold for him/her, and indeed for my other three little imps.

Two or three of the children who grew up with my children, and, therefore, I have known since their birth, have begun to make names for themselves: one is rising in the operatic world, and I feel confident will eventually make it to the big time; another has trained in librarianship, but is about to go abroad to translate the bible into a hitherto unwritten language, so she is not only going to have to learn the language, but then learn to write it down - the tribe she is translating for certainly haven't written it down! And yet another has already had bit parts in television drama, and one day may become a household name, and another is serving time at Her Majesty's pleasure for murder.

I have held each of these in my arms when they were babies, fed them, changed their nappies, played with them, chastised them, fetched them from school and offered support to their mothers when they were going through teenage tantrums. All part of the normal activities when bringing up children.

And I look at my three and wonder if I am holding the future Miss World, Prime Minister, tennis champion, or local thug (I think that's already been taken by Bam-Bam!).

They have all three recently been in their various nativity plays. Bam-Bam was the innkeeper in his, and was entrusted with a broom to sweep outside the inn, whilst waiting to deliver his one line to Joseph and Mary. His part over, he was ushered to the side of the stage to begin to form part of the tableau whilst the rest of the Nativity unfolded. After a while he got bored, and then remembered the broom! The Angel Gabriel was in grave danger of doing a nosedive into the parents below as he vigorously "swept" the back of her knees several times. After a severe look from a playschool lady, he turned his attention to quietly trying to poke the bristles up the smallest shepherd's nose. Finally the Baby Jesus suddenly rose two foot above his crib and remained suspended by his swaddling clothes, until a playschool lady quietly, but firmly, disarmed Bam-Bam of the broom!.

Dino was a King in his Nativity and solemnly mounted the stage in robe and cardboard hat, to take his place just behind Mary. He looked very serious, fidgeted a bit, and sang most of the songs, then stood quietly whilst parents were invited to come up and take photos at the end. Then, without warning, he burst into loud wailing and was swiftly rescued by a playschool lady who disrobed him and took his hat off, and handed him to Daddy who had been taking photos. When asked why he had burst into tears he said that the staple inside the King's hat had been hurting him all the time, but he didn't think Kings cried, so had to wait until he was a little boy again.

And Pebbles, who is at school, was a "star" with the rest of her class, and they paraded in front of the parents singing (surprise! surprise!) "Twinkle, twinkle little star". Although she did not have anything to say, there was plenty of singing, and I was taken back some 28 years as I listened. Pebbles voice rose above the rest, confident, strong, in tune, and full of the joy of singing - just like her mother all those years ago. I don't know where Wilma got her voice from, it certainly wasn't me or her Dad, but she regularly sings solo at her Church, or duets with her sister-in-law, and her voice is lovely, and it would appear that Pebbles is going the same way. I know Wilma is looking forward to the day she and Pebbles can sing together in Church, but at the moment Pebbles is too young.

And the "bump"? By general concensus this pregnancy has been the quietest and most enjoyed of all four. I would appreciate your thoughts and prayers for a safe delivery on or around the 4th January 2005, after which there will be no keeping Granny down!!

Now, this journal is very long, but I make no apologies - it is nearly six months since I wrote the last one - but if you have had the stamina to get this far, then let me wish you and your families a very Happy Christmas, and a very peaceful New Year.

Take care, all of you, and thank you for being my friends

UG

aaaaahhh - "but he didn't think Kings cried, so had to wait until he was a little boy again" - That's lovely.

Merry Christmas to you and your brood too UG - I hope 2005 will be a year of joy and love for you.

how lovely to hear from you UG,and aren't grandchildren just the best thing ever!!Your posting made me laugh,something we all do too little of in this insane world of ours.I hope you have a wonderful christmas,and new year,and that all goes well on the birth of your new grandchild,I shall be thinking of you,and will add my thoughts for a safe delivery in my prayers.God bless.xx

Let us know when the bump emerges UG... then I can stop praying and raise a glass, instead!

Have a great Christmas - and thats to everyone!


(PS - Bam bam cannent be a trainee thug; that award has already gone to Kevin no1. And I think Kevin no 2 is either going to be a Bank Robber or a Bank Manager, so those slots are taken, too!)

And my No.6 is going to be an Ice Hockey player I think - assuming she learns to skate.

"And I think Kevin no 2 is either going to be a Bank Robber or a Bank Manager, so those slots are taken, too!"

I thought they were one in the same thing!

UG

One profession pays considerably better than the other one though.....just as long as you don't get caught!