Monday tea time and a phone call summoned this worried aunt to the children's hospital. The li'l guy (my 7 year old nephew) took a tumble on the trampoline - or to be totally accurate, some of his friends took a tumble and landed in a heap - he just happened to be at the bottom of the pile.
In theatre, he had an op to pin his arm just above the elbow and is out of action now for a wee while but being very brave.
Over the week, I've been reminded of the power of ice cream to deliver smiles. I've also learnt that despite an abundance of technology, boys banned from football (temporarily) and tree climbing (similarly) can be diverted with a mad game of ludo. Who knew!
On Tuesday night, I accompanied my father to a concert - his birthday gift. The Seekers (anyone old enough to remember?) were on a 50th anniversary tour and since their music is part of the soundtrack of my childhood I was looking forward to it just as much as he was. The concert was superb - much, much better than I'd hoped for. Remember The Carnival is Over? Or Georgy Girl? Or Morningtown Ride? We're still smiling and humming - and lovely to have 'dad time'.
Friday night and it was dad's turn to be up front. He's having chemo treatment at the moment and energy levels are low, BUT he still managed to sing with his choir at their annual concert. So very proud of him!
On Saturday afternoon, it was 'mum time' - her treat to take us to the Belfast Opera House to see Cinderella - the Rogers and Hamerstein musical. It was performed by an excellent amateur group - Belfast Operatic Company - joined for each performance by two white rats and the tiniest wee white pony. A very polished performance all round, completed with a lovely meal in a local restaurant. Mum is on the right of the picture with her cousin in the stripy top beside her.
I'm so thankful for much this week - for having parents still around who love to enjoy life to the full; for the skills of the medical team at the Royal Victoria Children's Hospital and for an NHS that hasn't been completely stripped of resources and can still excel at doing what it does best when it gets the chance.
As I sat with my nephew waiting for him to go to theatre, I couldn't help but reflect on the difference between his treatment and the children at our project in Uganda:
He had a vehicle to get him to the nearest A&E, an ambulance to transfer him to the children's hospital, a surgical team to do the needful and pain medication throughout.
In our unit, children reach us months after an accident, after village bone setters have done their best - often making bad situations worse. The journey is long, painful and often the injury beyond resetting and long drawn out intervention is required to save the limb.
We have so much to be thankful for, and such a responsibility to share our blessings.
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