Following an accident…

Ok, so, as a result of my poor boy smashing into a rope, clotheslining himself, wounding his mouth and then developing an infection accompanied with suspected appendicitis (he is recovering well now)… I have visited various hospital cafes and have some interesting experiences to share!

I was at Kate Thompsons book release for The Stepney Doorstep Society – a story of women’s fight and survival in the East End of London during WWII, when one of the amazing ladies, a ‘real-life’ character from the book, referred to an Elenaor Roosevelt quote: “A woman is like a teabag. You can’t tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water.”

I feel this is so relevant and could be transferred to say ‘parents are like teabags…’ as never are we stronger and more vulnerable than when our kids are sick.

The acts of kindness I/we received from others had such a powerful impact, like the lovely lady who brought me a cup of tea, after 8 hours in a&e and a terrible nights sleep on the children’s ward, well…I almost hugged her! Some parents from the ward overheard that my son was struggling to eat (due to injury in his mouth) and they presented us with chocolate moose and a nesquik milkshake – which turned out to be the first thing he would ‘eat’ in almost 3 full days… the lady in the coffee shop of one hospital gave my daughter a juice free of charge when we walked in for a juice not realising it was closed.. it might have been ‘just a juice’ but let me tell you… to her, after seeing her brother badly injured and her parents in shock, it meant the world.

I can’t help referring again to the work of Brené Brown whose work in this instance shows that vulnerability “appears to also be the birthplace of belonging, of love…”

Never underestimate the powerful impact of a small act of kindness…you do not always know when someone is feeling vulnerable and I can say it makes a huge difference when you are… thank-you, so, so, so much…