A wooden espresso machine and a plastic chainsaw.

The view from the front door, January-March 2018

Christmas Day 2017 began with coffee, ably assisted by a 1 3/4 year old apprentice.  His gran and I were sat with him in his kitchen anxiously awaiting news from just down the road. The building, large, white and centre is Singleton hospital. Top, right is ward 10. Oncology inpatients.

The hope was that post chemo blood infusions would allow my helpers Dad to come home for Christmas. 

He did. A selfie sent about 1000 showed a less pale Paul with a wistful smile.

Late morning till about tea time Paul sat uncomfortably in front of the fire, struggled to have Christmas dinner but managed as well as he could.

 It was, I think, quite a party in a subdued but far from Joyless way. A wonderful day in its way, even if I was required to don certain clothing of a seasonal nature and distribute the contents of a sack! At least it gave Paul a suitable subject to focus on so that maximum embarrassment could be extracted!

Presents were exchanged, opened and pressed into use rapidly as only a 1 3/4 year old could manage. 

Precious time.

The struggle had to be acknowledged and a return to ward 10 was delayed but not past (very) early evening.

Those practicing on ward 10 are amazing people. The sequence was repeated on Boxing Day and gradually time at home increased eventually allowing chemo and blood to be given as an outpatient.

Singleton hospital was very much the focus last Christmas. This year the focus was elsewhere. 

The view of the front door Christmas Day 2018

Christmas Day 2018 and the view from the front door couldn't be more different.

Some things were very similar. "Coffee, Granda" as my 2 3/4 year old able assistant offers his services in the caffeine cause. I say offers but in reality its more of a demand and we're  getting quite good at extracting espresso and steaming milk. He's pretty good at it although he'll improve when two strikes of the grinder dispenser stay at two rather than continuing to three and unless I'm quicker, four. He delights in pointing out the mess to his gran and explaining whose fault it is......... 

This Christmas one of his presents was a wonderful wooden espresso machine complete with coloured coffee pucks, properly fitting portafilter, cups and spoon.

Once he'd examined it closely and ascertained that batteries were not included or needed the noises of coffee extraction were mimicked to a tee.

He was right in there. No instructions needed. He had it down to a fine art, everything in the right order, almost. But not quite. "Frothy milk jug for the steam wand, Granda." Not a question, really, not a demand just a look of one with expertise wondering were such an important part of the process was. It was probably as fast as I've moved in recent days but a suitable plastic frothy milk jug was found and pressed into use.

Proud doesn't begin to describe it. His aunty and uncle were inspired in their gifts, as always.

Next to see the light of day was a Bosch Chain saw, complete with batteries this time so it made all the right noises. After some experimentation it was found able to make the unwrapping process even more fun. 

His dad would have been so chuffed and immensely proud. His dad's dad was doubly chuffed and proud enough for all of us. Now, if we could convince his wonderful mum of the delights of caffeine extraction!

The only view that really matters.

I'm so glad it was Christmas Day. I could have a shower, whether I needed it or not.