midwife's muse

Oh, what a tangled web we weave......

Yesterday was only sons birthday. His partner decided on a surprise party for him on Saturday. Ubfortunately she hit upon her plan a week ago so not too long to co-ordinate. Us oldies were asked to provide the distraction and keep him away from their place until 7.30. Get him to come round after football the innocent said. Now, she has known us for 4 years now. I'm a weird old thing but birthdays are important to me and all my offspring know this, and expect it. Usually there is a summoning, all members must attend to recognise the victims birthday en-masse. So, when I contact son and tell him everyone is busy on his birthday so can he come round the following day, following a football match 80 miles away he was questioning, why? What were we all doing that was more important than his birthday? The deceits came pouring out. Amongst them was that I was on-call so didn't know where I'd be, lie. I'm off this week. Said son was very irked, I think he felt unloved. He agreed though. Doing a bit of retail therapy, mobile rings, local Birth Centre, would I be on-call for them that night? Jump at the chance, well not quite jump but....to cut a long story short, called out at 1am, return home at 8.30. There is a moral here, never lie, it might just happen. It gets bad. Phoned son this morning to check he is coming round later. He sounded really weird. Maternal guilt floods in ( yes, the guilt follows you always) 'whats up, we'll see you later. How was your birthday?' Yesterday he was in middle of interviewing someone when he heard odd noises from the next room. Went in to invertigate and found applicant slumped and having difficulty breathing. Did all the right things, got him on the floor, checked airway, felt for pulse, pulse there, called 999,was kneeling supporting this guy when his pulse went. Paramedics arrived. Poor man died, with strangers, on an office floor.  On his birthday my poor boy held a man whilst he died. And cos his Mum had lied to him he didn't do what he wanted to, come round and talk to her.

Now all I can think of is that poor man and his family. I hope they are surrounded by loved ones, as I will be tonight, where we will raise a glass and remember them.

6.3.04 15:44