with Edna

We are in Hull this weekend, spending time with Edna before Christmas. As I walked towards her down the long corridor at St Mary's this morning, she didn't spot that Edward was with me. When she spotted him, her face lit up and her excitement was just delightful. She was so thrilled to be in his company and looked over towards him every minute or so to make sure that, yes, he was still there. Eventually, she decided that was not enough and manouevred herself to be close enough to hold his hand, then grabbed mine with her other hand and sat there for an hour or so, beaming with pleasure.

Throughout our stay today, she was calm and clearly content to simply be in our company. She enjoyed a couple of rides around the place in her wheelchair with Edward pushing - beaming with pride as one person after another asked "is this your Grandson?" but there were no demands of "Let's go, then" or requests to go out. Mind you, it was a miserable day - dark and cold with a biting wind and later, icy rain. Typical for the shortest day of the year.

She has enjoyed receiving Christmas cards from many friends and reads each one carefully - though she is unable to articulate to me who the sender is, I have no doubt that she has read the signature and knows herself. Some have left me stumped - Bunty and Bill? John and Madeline? My apologies if I have not been in touch with you. It simply means she knows you too well for your details to be in her address book!

She said goodbye to Edward this afternoon, as he'll spend tomorrow with his friend in Leeds if all goes according to plan. But Mark and I will return to spend more time with her and, if the sun shines, will go for a walk in the fresh air. That's her favourite way to spend an afternoon.

She is currently third on the waiting list at Hunters in Cirencester. We are talking to her about it and hope that she understands the situation. We will, of course, advise of any move as soon as we know it will happen.