Last updated 10:29, Thursday, 27 November 2008

I WOULD like to say a great big thank you to the person who came to my son’s aid at the weekend. I KNOW its only November, but I’ve already been to my first Christmas do.

BEING a grandparent is one of the greatest pleasures in the world.

Looking after a couple of kids, a baby and a toddler, now that’s quite a different matter.

Don’t get me wrong, there’s no greater pleasure than being with children – but it can be tiring, especially when you are out of the babysitting habit.

The last time I looked after a baby alone was almost 19 years ago. That was until last week when the responsibility was thrust upon me once again.

Pretending to be confident, I let dad get off to work and had a look at the “to do” list which mum had carefully written, and looked forward to an easy time.

Grandson Mason, aged three, put his protective arms around me as if to say all would be all right and for the first time I felt relaxed.

At his age Mason is great fun, and as he and I played with his toys I was mindful of keeping in regular contact with his six-month-old brother, Dylan.

The baby, I believe, was teething – well it sounded like that anyway. And although he needed his rest, the discomfort didn’t allow him to.

After a stint of cuddling, rocking, singing and moving in general around the house I needed a break.

Just like the cavalry, dad turned up at lunchtime and was I mighty relieved to see him.

After a chat I attempted to feed the baby, however, he wasn’t too peckish and seemed satisfied with a drink.

Dad sorted him out, got him back to bed and Mason and myself found some time to read some short stories.

By now dad had disappeared, and my ever attentive ear picked out a squeak from Dylan’s bedroom.

Before I had time to get to my feet, that murmur had turned into a fully blown cry and I rushed upstairs to pacify him.

Instinctively I realised he was hungry, so, while holding him securely with one arm, I prepared a milk drink. We settled down and Dylan soon demolished the bottle.

Remembering what my wife had told me, I went through the procedure of getting his wind up and he settled.

Mum arrived soon after and asked me if everything had gone okay, to which I replied “no problem” and seconds later in one flowing move she collected her kids in a huge hug.

Soon after I departed back to Barrow and headed for some well-earned rest.

But it led me to think that if any medals are handed out for unsung heroes, first in the queue should be young mums.

After going to the cash point outside the Walney Co-op, he somehow contrived to forget to collect the money.

By the time he realised his mistake it was too late, or so he thought. For some kind-hearted person took the cash into the shop, and there it was waiting for him, inside an envelope when he returned. So I will gladly repeat, thank you. It shows the spirit of honesty has not disappeared for good.

As the DJ belted out festive favourites like Slade’s Merry Christmas Everybody I must admit it felt a little strange hearing songs like this a month before the big event.