18th. to 21st. November

Sunday 21^st.

Muthill Church is down the road and round the corner.  Red sandstone, carved wood and warm welcomes inside.  The minister meets us at the door.  We explain who we are and tell him about Rosalind’s arrival.  He starts the service by saying ‘A new young lady has come to live in our community – her name is Rosalind, the new daughter of Donald and Hannah’.   The service is informal, the sermon simple, about the importance of relationships.  We no sooner arrive home than a lady from the church appears with flowers for Donald and Hannah.  Their acceptance in the village is obvious and it gives me a very good feeling too.  The jigsaw pieces are falling into place, courtesy of the man upstairs. 

We want to take photos of Ryall and the baby together.  Ryall is anxious ‘I don’t want to hold her!’  but he agrees to allow us to place the tiny pink bundle in his arms.  He is clearly please, proud and happy.  ‘She’ll always, always be your sister, you know.  Nothing can ever change that’.  This seems to strike a chord and he begins to talk about all the things he’ll teach her and how he’ll look after her.  ‘I’ll tell the bullies to leave her alone’.  Echoes of some of the things he copes with on a daily basis, but also confirmation that he’s no longer a child alone.  This baby is a gift from God to heal the pain of her father, mother and brother, and she has started on this task already.

That afternoon, we have been invited to take Ryall to visit his cousins.  ‘Daddy, I know you will miss me, and I will miss you, but can I please go???’  So at least no basis to Donald’s fears that he would feel pushed out! 

And so to Newton Mearns – kids hyper with excitement, playing together loudly.  For the second time today, Ryall obviously relishes his sense of family belonging.  On the way home, we take Ryall to get some new clothes – a smart silver and black jacket, combat style.  After little boy reluctance to be seen anywhere near smart clothes, he was plainly very pleased with himself in his new outfit – especially as we also managed to get Sponge Bob pyjamas!

Saturday 20^th.

The weekend is a round of meals to be cooked, dishes to be washed, Ryall to be played with, Rosalind to be cuddled, visitors to speak to.  Ryall has discovered Sponge Bob Square Pants.  He makes an outfit using a cardboard box.  Donald paints his face yellow to complete the outfit.  Hannah is tired but smiles through it all.

Thursday 18^th.

Painting, dusting, cleaning – Bincy’s mum arrives soon from India!  Need to create a cosy home for her.  A welcome break was lunch with Kate.  This also meant that most of the painting was finished by the time I came home!

Friday 19^th.

Can we collect Ryall and come to Muthill for the weekend?  You bet we can.  Bill rushes to Millport to collect necessary things.  Off to Shawlands to collect the little lad.