It’s time to resume our journey. We left off on the 11th of January, 2018… You had only just been born and my world was already changing very rapidly. The last time I had seen your Mummy, was when she was being carted into the operating theatre. She was, at the time,  also still carrying you… I could hardly believe that I was a father, it still hadn’t sunk in. Besides, I had administrative duties to take care of. I was far too busy to realise that time had rushed by. 2 hours had just flitted by unnoticed with no word on your mummys condition.

I did get a call shortly after 10 am. The hospital phoned to notify me that your mummy was alright, and that she would be brought back to room in about an hours time. I was certainly releaved.

It was slightly before noon that your very groggy mummy was wheeled into the room. She looked absolutely drained. Still, I was happy to have her back. They promptly settled her into her bed. I stood by and watched as she Opened her eyes for the first time since returning to the ward. A gentle smile escaped her lips… A smile I was expecting an “I love you” or something of that nature to follow. I was sorely dissapointed when she opened her mouth and uttered the words few husbands would ever want to hear. “are you my husband?” all the same, I confirmed to her that she was indeed gazing up at her husband. Then she asked something even more startling… “Am I alive?”. Over the next few hours she would ask the exact same questions repeatedly. There was little else that I could have done except to answer her, kiss her forhead and then usher back to sleep. The effects of the anesthetic, it seemed, had not worn off.

Your mummy had two visitors that afternoon, a friend she had known for almost 10 years, and her sister. Both of whom would be subjected to the same rounds of questioning as myself. “is that Jasmine Ho?”, “This voice sounds so familiar…”, “My sis is here?”. I was both amused and horrified for her…

To be fair, even through her befuddled state, your mummy did ask some very legitimate questions. “Is baby out?”, “Is baby ok?”, “Is Ashley healthy?” “Where is she?” Her mind, though still hazy, would not impede her concern for you. “when can I see Ashley?”… I answered that question for her and will now answer it for you. It would be a day before your mummy could see you, one very long day…