My Dear Grandson

A Shean, mo gharmhac dhílis,

I came across the words ‘significant other’ 50 years ago, in 1973, when studying sociology. At the time these words meant a person you admired or looked up to. Little did I think, all those years ago, that half a century later I would find myself writing about this again, talking about that significant other that has illuminated our lives since December 19th, 2020. There are countless reasons why this is so, Sean. I will try and tell you why you are that very special person and why you hold and will always have a treasured place in my heart and in my life.

From the first moment I kissed your little forehead and you held my finger firmly in your left hand, I experienced something magical that sparked a new beginning within me.

[ Read all Fighting Words contributions here ]

Three months earlier, I was told that I would not regain the sight which I’d lost over the previous months and that I would never drive again. The light of your arrival into that darkness has given me a sense of purpose and meaning that no longer existed at that time.

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The best example of your influence on the quality of my life is the fact that I am able to attempt typing this letter to you, something I could not do when I had my sight. It is your inspiration, Sean, that has made me keep trying to master the typing and I’m so proud to have you as my mentor. I am making a bit of progress trying to read the newspaper, which will keep me up to date with all that is happening in the world. I could never imagine that my wonderful grandson could do so much in the space of just two years to bring so much meaning and fulfilment into my life. You are my lifeline, Sean.

During the early months of your life your mammy used bring you over to visit Granny and me on Wednesday afternoons, which was the highlight of our week. As soon as you arrived, if I was finishing my lesson with NCBI on how to use my phone I’d abandon it, promptly forgetting all I’d been taught during the previous hour. To your mammy’s and granny’s irritation, I would manage to waken you so that I could play with my Sunshine.

Granny used to bide her time and, as she used say, “rescue” her “Gorgeous” to give you your bottle or change your nappy. I used find it so difficult when you had to leave us to be home to greet your daddy when he arrived home from work. Granny and I will always have such treasured memories of those precious times, of those wonderful Wednesday afternoons.

When Granny, Aunty Maire and I joined your mammy, daddy and you on your holidays in Wexford last August, you took me by my hand to lead me across the beach to the water’s edge so that we could paddle in the tide. That was a most magical and memorable experience.

Sean, you are such a gentle, generous and considerate little boy and you never stop showing us that wonderful quality. Since your beautiful sister came into our world on October 11th last you have showered her with love. You are so kind and considerate to me, bringing me a currant brack when visiting, finding my white cane when it goes missing and holding it with me when I go for a walk. You look after me so well. When you place both your hands on my knees to have a bite from my sandwich, you give me such a wonderful sense of delight, joy and happiness. While I often describe you as “a begging ass” on such occasions, the sheer magic of having both your hands on my knees is an experience that defies description.

Although I can no longer enjoy the pleasure of driving, I feel so privileged to sit in the back seat holding your hand, something I could not do if I was driving. Now Meabh has taken my seat, I’ll have to see if I can sit between you and hold both your hands.

The Words of Love project started one morning with a chat in the foyer of the Fighting Words centre in Dublin . Two Fighting Words mentors were talking about the world needing a little more love as they waited for the children to arrive for their workshop. This germ of an idea was developed and writers of all ages were approached to share their thoughts and experiences of love in all its forms; the result was a small, beautiful collection launched on April 14th. Here are a few pieces by participants from the Silverthread writing group who responded to the challenge of capturing the essence of love in words. You can find out more about Words of Love and read more pieces from the project on the Fighting Words website.