I remember it well, the day we brought home our first born, a little baby girl swaddled in white, in a brand new baby carrier. We placed her in the middle of the lounge, and looked at each other with trepidation: what now? Were we up to taking care of this little bundle of life full of wriggles, gurgles and baby smells?

That night she slept in our bed – we’d read somewhere that this was better for children, more natural like, but what they didn’t tell us is that we didn’t get to sleep a wink!

Now that baby is 14, a young lady, beautiful and lunatic in grace, darling of her old dad’s heart, and soon she’ll be hanging out with her mates, bringing home boys, thinking of moving on, perhaps even getting married.

Then the middle of the lounge will be empty, resonating with sadness and joy, having witnessed a miracle pass by.