057 - Chapter 57

(Illustration: Luke holding my finger)

In 2004, a son Luke was born to Dionne and Stephen, he was the first of their two children, and our first grandchild. It has been such a joy to see him grow from babyhood to adulthood, over the years. When he was born, it was a truly magical moment for Bob and me; we were now officially grandparents! 

As we walked to the hospital bed where Dionne lay, holding Luke by her side, I felt we were walking on holy ground; and when he was placed into my arms, it had me lost for words. His little fingers wrapped around my finger and he kept a tight hold, and it took my breath away. His hand was so tiny. I wrote out a prayer, giving thanks for him, when we got home which soon afterwards became a song called:

With your tiny hand wrapped round my finger

With your tiny hand wrapped round my finger,

You're so innocent, trusting and calm.

Breathing contentment and sighing so sweetly

Lord, keep him safe from all harm.

With your tiny hand wrapped round my finger,

You’re so peaceful, so snug and so warm,

I hold you so close to me, lovingly, tenderly.

Lord keep him safe from all harm.

Now that you're here at last,

Now that birth's trauma is past,

Into our world you have come

Fingers so tightly clasped

Our hopes and dreams surpassed

Now you are here in my arms

Making sounds that are lyrical,

Our little miracle…

Right now you’re safe from life’s storms…

Nestle right into me,

Sing me a symphony.

Lord keep him safe from all harm. (x3)

©2004 Sheila Hamil

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42RnyiOTQ5c

Nothing quite prepares you for when a grandchild recognises you at last, and smiles at you for the very first time!  Of course my mam was also delighted at Luke's arrival, after all he was her first great-grandchild.

 Twice each week Bob and I would travel through to Durham to help out and, once he was placed in a nursery sometime later, we would collect him. Luke was such a delight to look after as a toddler, he was as bright as a button when we played lively games with him, and also golden oldie games such as Hide and Seek, (but not upstairs) and Ring a Ring o’ Rosies. He loved building high tower blocks, counting and having books read to him.

 The very first word we ever heard him say was in Durham Cathedral bookshop. I was holding him in my arms, while Bob was paying for a little book for him, and he reached over to tap Bob on the shoulder, and he said, “Nanda!”

“That sounded awfully like Granda!” I said to Bob, and a lady next us joined in saying, “It sounded very much like that to me too!” From then on, we became Nanda and Mamar for a while, until he could say our names properly.

He really loved the meals I made him, sometimes followed by a carton of chocolate mousse. After all grandparents tend to spoil their grandchildren, but it had Dionne and Stephen puzzled when he began refusing his favourite healthy yoghurt dessert at home, that is until the truth came out:

 “Don’t like that pudding. Want granda and grandma pudding!” 

Luke was a quick learner, especially with nursery rhymes and games. At the age of two, he could sing Jingle Bells, Doh ray me, Twinkle twinkle and the Grand Old Duke of York; he picked up chasing games quickly and loved ‘What time is it Mr Wolf?’ and when it was “LUNCHTIME!”, he would run away squealing as I tried to catch him.

When Luke was only three, I remember one conversation as he tried to go through a rather stiff door.

“No Luke,” I said, “you don’t push it, you pull the handle . . .look at the sign, P-U-L-L, Pull!”

I spelled out each sound.

He replied, “Then why is it still S-T-U-K?”

At roughly the same age at Beamish Folk Museum we went into the old schoolroom, with its old-fashioned desks and blackboard, and he began playing with the wooden abacus. He was able to count out for me numbers like 22, 34 and even 93. Impressive even then!

Beamish was also the place where he thought he was seeing Father Christmas, for the conductor on the tram sported a full white beard and moustache. Luke asked us in a loud voice, “Is that Santa?” Young as Luke was, he blushed to the roots when everyone on board began smiling and commenting. He shrunk back and hid his face under my arm.

Whenever we took him out in the car, we would all sing along to Alphabet Zoo by Ralph McTell, and he eventually learnt most of the words. Luke loved music, and was taught the guitar after he showed an interest in his dad’s playing and mine, so with lessons from a tutor from the age of 8, he eventually achieved grade 8. He is such a brilliant guitarist, and I just love to ‘jam’ with him and also Stephen whenever we get the chance.

One of the best memories we have of Luke, was at his school sports day, at the Monkton Stadium, Jarrow, when he was only twelve. (This stadium was the home of Olympic champion Steve Cram.)  Luke had entered the 1500 metre race, and before he walked to the start, he whispered to me, “I’m going to win this grandma!” I told him just to go and do his very best, and not be to disappointed if he lost!

Off he went at the start of the race, sprinting! We thought that unwise as he would soon tire, and others would overtake him; but no, he ended up half a lap in front of all the other runners, and he stayed there! Older boys were signalling to him on his first lap to slow down, but on and on he ran at a steady pace; and won! Bob and I were bursting with pride; I was jumping up and down like a crazy woman!

Like both parents, Luke has always had a lovely nature. He’s intelligent, caring, kind and friendly, and his sister Katie and his younger cousins all look up to him, as he is such a good role model. His main sporting interest has always been football, just like both of his parents, and he is now in his second year, studying Maths at university.