Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
WHEN RIAN WAS born, we got loads of practical and thoughtful gifts for him. One of the gifts we got was a memory box – well actually we got two beautiful ones – and I love them.
However, there are some things you can’t put into the memory boxes or the baby books.
I’m one of those people who likes to record life as it goes along. This started at a young age with what is known as ‘the suitcase’. It’s an old fashioned vintage cardboard type suitcase that my parents used to own. When I was about 12, I started keeping my stuff in it, all the important things I wanted to keep and cherish.
I still have my suitcase, much to the amusement of my Dad – and it’s a long time since I looked in there, but always amusing to see the things that mattered so much to my 12-year-old self. But, I also have cards from each of my grandmothers, letters my Dad had written to me when he was at sea, things to cherish.
Some things I can’t put in that memory box
So, it came as no surprise that when the biggest thing to ever happen to me came along that I would want to keep a record of things. But, the things I can’t put into the memory boxes or put onto my phone are perhaps the most precious of all.
When I think of my time on leave with Rian I think of those things you can’t put into a box – the sweet smell of him, the feel of him snuggled into me, the sound of his baby snores when the only place I could get him to nap was on my shoulder. The first time I heard him laugh his beautiful big belly laugh. His little fists grabbing onto my finger, his little hands rubbing my cheek when I fed him his bottle.
Of course I also remember the seemingly endless crying for hours when he had colic, the sheer exhaustion like I’ve never known it before, the explosive nappies… it’s not all sweetness and light let me tell you!
But you forget those things, at least they’re not at the forefront of my mind when I think about him.
Every morning I used to go in to pick him up for the day. We’d wake up properly together and we’d look out the window and see the trees and the sky and the birds and have a grand old chat. I’d ask him for a kiss, then I’d give him one, but one day I asked for a kiss and he leaned over and planted his little face on mine and gave me one himself!
One of the best moments of my life
It was amazing and one of the best things ever, that little moment. That memory is something I wish I could pull out of my head and turn into a tangible thing so I could put it in that suitcase and carry it forever.
Now that I’m back at work those things seem even more precious. When I was on leave there were days that used to feel sort of never ending. I would sometimes be waiting at the window by 6pm waiting to see Gavin’s car come around the corner just so I could have half an hour to myself.
Not even so that I could lie down and watch TV or read a book, it would be a precious half an hour so that I could do essential things like wash my hair! But the good days far outweighed the bad. I was very lucky to be able to take extended leave so I was two weeks short of a full year at home with him. And it was worth every penny.
The work guilts. At first it was almost fun being back – the novelty of having a lunch break! Having a coffee and getting to finish it whenever I wanted. But that novelty soon wore off. We are so lucky to have Rian with amazing childcare so that’s not a worry at all.
But that fear of missing out… what if he walks and I don’t see it? What if he says a new word? What if he forgets that I’m his mam? Yes, I know the last one seems a bit over the top, but in fairness to him, he spends 12 hours a day with someone else and he’s only awake for about 14 hours a day. I question constantly is this the right thing? This precious time, which I know now goes by so fast, he changes so fast. I keep telling myself that I’m doing it for him, to be able to give him our best. But it does feel like a huge price to pay.
The nice thing is how much more precious the weekends are now. Those sleepy nap times, which even now at almost 15 months, he will still only take in someone’s arms. I love them. I know that some day it will be the last time he will sleep in my arms and I savour it, the snuggles and the kisses. 10,000 per nap, I reckon. At least. And not one I can put in that suitcase.
Jen Ryan is a 30-something IT-working mother of one who works in Dublin and lives with her husband, drool machine son Rian and their 2 dogs. You can follow her blog The Scenic Route – The Story of Us.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Should be a bumper year for tourists from the UK and the States so
Not so good if you plan on going to the US from Ireland tho.
The Greeks lied about their balance sheet prior to being admitted to the Euro, they lied about their tax receipts, they lied about repaying debts, why haven’t they been f**ked out long before now never mind worrying whether they might leave????
If they leave the Eurozone their debts will have to be written off increasing the burden on the remaining members.
If they stay in the money won’t be paid back but they debt will remain on the books and not shared out amongst the other members.
EU let Greece is as they saw safety in numbers but now must admit that it was a huge mistake.
Which European state benefits from a weak Euro the most?
Germany.
And who made the first soundings about a Greek exit?
Germany.
Seeing a pattern here?
Ming was spot on, we are in an abusive relationship with Europe, and like any abusive relationship the sooner you get out of it the better.
EURO project looks to be in big trouble.
A weak euro is good for exports, and investment. As an export led economy, this is no bad thing!
Agreed, another boost for Ireland’s excellent FDI strategy. A dramatically lower oil price is a boost to many companies too. Some have said the dollar will even reach parity and more with the Euro over the next 3 years as the US roars ahead.
Basing your economic model so heavily on exports simply means you are allowing external factors to steer your economy. Allowing the domestic economy to stay stagnant has been one of the single greatest errors of this government.
Reasonable point but it is not a zero sum game. Having a such a great FDI strategy does not automatically mean that the domestic economy is neglected. FDI has served Ireland well since the 80′s in such a globally competitive world. That is the world we now live in.
I would tend to agree more though generally re the stagnant domestic economy by the current administration. Difficult to do for a small country after they continued taking on the enormous burden of the banking debt.
Looks like it will be easily to sell Mercedes in America from now on, well that’s what the euro is for
Greece may leave, but Lithuania, although a member of E.U. since 2004, adopted the Euro, a few days ago.
Any alternative is generally met with fear in this system.
We all recognise this system benefits the few yet when someone comes out with an alternative the powers that be scare you away, I look forward to Greece trying something different. In reality it’s the EU’s fault they never inserted a viable opt out clause for the euro.
The Euro is going down the drain
We need to leave the EU asap
The Greeks are to blame for their own mess, they lied to everybody about their finances, the rich fiddled like violinists in an orchestra, the retirement age for some was to low, some benefits were far to generous. It was unsustainable!
it also means higher rates of interest in the next couple of years. If capital is flowing from Europe to the US it means the bond market will demand a higher return to buy European Debt.
Shouldn’t the headline read “… fewer and fewer US dollars…”?
Out houshold income is pegged to the dollar.. This decline boosts our income in euro terms by about €37k after tax.
The Bureau de Change in Boston Logan Airport so generously offered me 97 dollars for 100 euro yesterday
Quit your yapping and learn how to trade it folks.
What would deflation in the euro/Germany area do for our “robust” recovery? I couldn’t help but use the word robust but anybody have a clue? Cheaper imports I would imagine would be good and we seem more depended on uk and USA for growth
There’s a similar abusive relationship between the Irish government and the ordinary people of Ireland.
have your say