Childless Parents Newsletter, Winter 2021

Newsletter for Childless Parents | www.tcf.org.uk 9 What about it? “What do you see there?” I see love. A picture of you and me, happy, colourful, bright and you seem to have a Christmas decoration growing from your head. “Very funny. But what about the thing that most people don’t notice mum. The small detail that makes the photo even more interesting. The thing that might be overlooked if it wasn’t pointed out and the thing that made me very, very happy that day?” What? “The lollipop mum!!!! Don’t you remember, that cheeky Santa gave me a lollipop!” Yes, I do remember. I see it now, you are holding it in the photo. Oh James, that does make me laugh. I remember it now. You were never too old for a lollipop were you? You took some of the little ones to get a treat from Santa and you ended up with that lolly. How funny. “See?? Look for the small small things mum. It’s the small things that get you through. I defy anyone to be sad while holding a lollipop. Try one. Keep one close by for the darker moments. Settle down and have a lollipop. See if that doesn’t bring some peace for a while. And I defy you not to smile. I made a poem too look!” You are truly bonkers sometimes James. A lollipop. The answer to everything. “Can you tell me, with true conviction, that it isn’t?” I wouldn’t even try son. I wouldn’t even try. by Maria Ahern You can read more of Maria’s conversations with Jamie on Facebook. Search for My conversations with James Ahern.