How time flies

This week marks the tenth anniversary of the birth of my son, and the first anniversary of the death of my Dad.

It's been a very hard week.

Last year I barely even got to see Mars on his birthday. All he knew was that his Grandpa was sick, and I was helping his Nana. As this anniversary has come around, I'm sure he doesn't remember that. I'm sure he doesn't connect these two events in the way that we always will.

Still, we tried very hard this year to make Mars' birthday just about Mars. We had afternoon tea with his Nana and Auntie and cousins, and dinner with Supernerd's parents and sister. He took enough cupcakes to school for the whole class, and he had a great day.

Truth be told, it hasn't been a very hard week. It's been one of the hardest weeks in quite a difficult year.

I was very close to my Dad and my heart hurts every day because he's not here. I still talk to him, and I can still hear his voice, but oh, I miss him.

Meanwhile, his grandchildren are growing and he would be so proud of them. Mars is ten, Venus has turned seven. Mighty Mouse is nearly four and Wicket turned one. He's not walking yet, but I think he will be by Christmas.

Mostly though, Dad would be proud of Mum and the determined way in which she continues to do things. She's had to make some big and difficult decisions, and with the support of my brother in particular, she has survived a lot.

Time is a funny thing. The way that it rushes by when we're happy, and seems to drag by when we're sad. I guess it's been a very long year. I remember Dad said something clever about time. It's not his originally, but I'd never heard it until he said it.

Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like an apple.