We’re grandmothers

On March 24th, at about 3:00, Iris, Su’s daughter, gave birth to a baby boy. Say what you like about overpopulation and climate change and the instability of our wonderful world and geopolitics and all the things — I am so glad to welcome him to the family. In turn, he has welcomed me — I contributed nothing to his parents’ births or raising. I have been his maternal grandmother’s companion, partner, lover and sometimes pain-in-the-ass for nearly 5 years, though. That counts for something. Su’s two grown-up children have welcomed me, and we care a lot for each other. I get to be part of the village raising the new one.

He’s beautiful! And we have pictures of his mama and papa holding him and gazing at the camera with serenity and pride. Well, that’s Iris. She looked as if she’d just gone for a brisk walk, rather than a 5-hour labour. The baby, he was all alert yet restful, snuggled up to his mother’s breast. Iris wrapping him in her strong arms and all the love in the world. The pictures of Matt show a great tall man curled tenderly into his son, studying him intently and kissing his face. He’s home, he’s home in the world.

We cannot wait to meet him