the longest time without blogging!

...... and not certain why - have been busier before but made the time to blogg - maybe because I am not at home but staying at Alex and Lara's in Paris.... or maybe because I am taking a deep breath before I take the next step forward to the unknown!!!!

I am increasingly recognising that I am on my way to become a nomad and though comfortable being here - am not yet certain of this place (places!).

Today has been a big day for me - but in some ways a very domestic day - today I saw online something I was told yesterday that all the 'Deliverables' of SiS Catalyst have been accepted.... that might not mean a lot - but to me it is huge - I cannot move on until all the formal reporting has occurred - and this news is a really significant step towards this.

Today I am also very close to signing off the book - it gets printed tomorrow - so I will wake up in the morning and add my final few corrections... then off it goes...... another big step. We launch it in the House of Lords on the 11th of February... I love the stories of these things - that's what everything is - a story.... we sometimes think the stories are the whole thing... but actually they are not - WE are the whole thing - we just dress ourselves in stories!

Today I was also phoned up by my landlord who told me he is selling the apartment - I told him I was leaving it in November.... and made the commitment to do so! Wow that was a biggie!

I have also been an abuela - Abu Nan - my new name - Grandmother Nan - so in between Skype conversations and book proofing I cuddled the rather colicky but flourishing little Alba. Now over 3 kilos/ 7 lbs  - she is two and a half months old - so still tiny but developing into a strong little character - magic - it is just so amazing to spend so much time with her.

I will be here until Monday and then back to Brussels then on home -then not certain - itchy feet and increasingly becoming comfortable with being nomadic.

So Abu Nan is sleeping on her son's sofa - ready to sign off a book early tomorrow morning before helping to bath the beautiful Alba and then Lara and I will go shopping (sin bebé) Alex looking forward to some serious Dad and little girl on his own time... wonderful to witness my son become a father.

I have obviously thought a lot about Chris over these weeks - thinking and talking about how he took on the role of dad in his own inimitable way - looking back I think we were pretty amazing - but that is just what becoming a parent is all about - and maybe you have to become a grandparent in order recognise how amazing being a parent is!

So happy on Alex and Lara's sofa bed - and getting used to becoming a nomad!

Amazing couple of weeks

It is Tuesday, 6 January 2015 and what an amazing couple of weeks it has been!

To cuddle my very first grandchild and to see how she is thriving, and to witness her effect on her exhausted and exhilarating  parents, has been amazing.

I have also seen more of my family members  together in one place at my son Jimmy's  wedding than I can recall. The last time would have been my father's funeral so  to be together in celebration and happiness was just beautiful.

Tonight, I have Jimmy and Rachel staying at my flat and that is always a pleasure, but their wedding was something extraordinary...... it is difficult to describe these things, but  I was talking to my mum tonight  on the phone......  and she said;  the special thing about Jimmy and Rachel is that you can see how much they love each other...... I absolutely agree with her. and that is the strength of  their relationship, their certainty and it is visible.....  they are very certain that they love each...... but the really special thing is that they are totally certain that they are loved  by the other......  and that is the unusual strength of their relationship.

 So at home,  pretty tired......  but very happy.......... it has been a truly amazing couple of weeks!