Life can be a grind at times
and it’s never short of worries
but every now and then
life bestows on us
a reason to celebrate.

Like today.

Our youngest daughter, Niamh,
has won an award
for one of her university modules
and we are all invited
to a prize-giving ceremony
at the university.

We are delighted to know
that other people see in Niamh
the potential
that we have been aware of
since Niamh was a toddler.

It’s a proud moment for us parents!

We get to spend the whole day together,
just the three of us –
prize-giving and photographs,
chatting over a leisurely lunch
and exploring the wonders of Botanic Gardens –
such precious time!

Before we go home
there’s just enough time
for tea and biscuits
at Niamh’s new student house –
a simple but perfect ending
to a wonderful day.

Today life bestowed on us
a reason to celebrate
and we seized it with both hands.
After all,
it’s what precious memories are made of!

(c) Claire Murray, 7th July 2017