19th February

08:55

Dramatic scenes here at the changing mat. It’s evident why this has become such a spectator sport in recent weeks.

We’ve just seen a real crowd pleaser. The talented youngster shot one from distance at the edge of the mat. He’s hit the bar, and it’s teetered there for a while, threatening to spill over and take the 100cm drop down to the beige carpet. But it’s a lucky escape, a suspicion of offside, and the danger is averted with a well timed sweeping tackle from a wodge of toilet roll.

As is often the way with the best sporting moments, it’s the build up behind the final shot on goal, the hard work before the glorious crossing of the finishing line that is important.

Never more so than here. Young man moved into his own room the night before last. He’s coped very well, and has been little trouble. Last night mum had more sleep than she’s had for the previous eight weeks. Nevertheless, six straight hours without a feed suggests something a little iffy. Even more iffy was that this pattern continued this morning, with the little General feeding for only half an hour and then crying and wanting no more.

The reason? A bowel full of yesterday’s goodies. There was simply no room for any more. I am of the opinion that Sir has acquired my disposition as a child; not liking things to be out of place or messy. A cry during a feed is therefore often an indication that things are awry in his underpants.

Indeed they were in this instance, although the full extent of the awry itself was not immediately visible, and only joined the party after the slightly soiled nappy had already been changed.

One feels there could be another simple life lesson lurking here. When the goodness of life doesn’t seem to be getting in, making no impact on us, and we feel slightly skew-whiff, slightly dissatisfied, is it that we are full up on things that don’t need to be there? Perhaps a good metaphorical clear out is needed: a time of evaluation of how we are filling our time, our minds, our worries and hopes. Perhaps much of this can be gotten rid of, in order to open ourselves up to the fullness of experiences that comes from involving ourselves fully in our relationships with others, and taking things onboard.

At the close of play here today, we have one contented young man, having left behind all the unnecessary backlog from days gone by. He is back in the starting line up, feeding to his heart’s content, devouring all of the goodness that he possibly can.