His First Orbit Around the Sun

One year ago I was sitting in a car on my way to Melbourne Airport. In a couple of hours I was due to depart for Warsaw for the start of our 2019 Baltics Cycling Adventure. As a recent adopter to Whatsapp, I was a little surprised when my phone started making an unfamiliar noise. It turned out to be an incoming video call from my son and daughter in law.

The birth of their first child was due in about two weeks time, so I was resigned to the fact that I would be on the other side of the planet when the little one actually arrived. Of course babies sometimes run to the own timetable and this one had decided that it couldn't wait to say hi to his parents and grandparents.

When I took the video call the new baby had only just arrived. Mum and dad were still a little in shock, but wanted to let me know the exciting news, before I headed off. It was a tremendous way to start a new adventure, but I was a little sad that I would have to wait a few weeks before I would see the little guy face to face.

Officially his name is Josiah, but very quickly he picked up the knickname "Jossi", and I think that is what he will always be called. Over the past year we have seen him develop into a beautiful baby, full of smiles and curiosity. He has brought joy to our entire extended family and it has been amazing to see the way that the new parents absolutely adore him.

Yesterday Jossi celebrated his first birthday and we were so glad that we were able to share it with him. In spite of worldwide pandemics, race riots and everything else, nothing is more beautiful than to witness a new little person developing and learning.Читать далее