Back to traditions and memories.
We always made sure the kids had a brilliant birthday. Unfortunately for Dani, we never managed to get on holiday for her birthday – it was a bit more awkward because hers was always around Easter.
For Haydn’s birthday (and of course, Trev’s), we’ve been skiing, the Dominican Republic a few times etc.
Dani, however, has had a couple of awesome birthday. We took everyone to the dry ski-slope at Sheffield on one of her requests and the other one I distinctly remember is what I’m going to tell you now, but I have to set the scene…
I don’t like heights. I wasn’t always like that and I don’t know when or how I became so terrified.
We went to the Leaning Tower at Pisa and though I didn’t wander around the outside, like Trev did, I wasn’t too bad up there, on a slippery ledge slanting at an alarming angle… with no safety barrier.
Google Images (Free use)
Knowing this… here’s the story of Danielle’s birthday treat.
“What do you want to do for your birthday?” We asked her. We were shopping in Chesterfield, a local historical market town in the next county to us. It was her birthday but we set out early enough so she could do what she wanted. She’d spent some of her birthday money in the town and we were making plans for what she actually wanted to do.
She didn’t even have to think. “I’d like to go up the Crooked Spire!” she said.
Google Images (Free use)
‘That’s not gonna happen,’ I thought. The spire has very rare openings and we’ve not managed to see one yet.
“OK,” I said, rather recklessly. “Let’s go and see when the next one is.”
Well, what are the chances?
‘You have got to be kidding!’ I thought when I saw the board advertising tours of the spire.
“Yay!” Dani said, jumping up and down, clapping her hands.
And that, dear reader, is a lesson in keeping your gob shut until you have all the facts to hand.
I wasn't always scared...
Yes, that really is @s0u1
So off we went. No time to wait and pluck up courage/an excuse to dip-out – the next tour was happening in moments, right after we’d paid.
The day was just going directly to plan, wasn’t it? (No, not for me, it wasn’t).
We trekked off up the spiral stone staircase, both hands on either wall. I was ok going up there but I knew what would happen if we got to the top… sorry… WHEN we got to the top.
After the spiral stairs, there was an ancient, but sturdy wooden staircase/ladder – nt quite proper stairs, but not a ladder either.
The top of the wooden ladder was a large(ish) room. We stood under the spire and could see all the contortions and twists in the frame that has led to the ‘crookedness’. The guide told us how the Black Plague was probably the cause for the anomaly because the country lost many artisans and skilled masters in every aspect of the building trade, leaving the work to go to their apprentices – and sometimes even unskilled and inexperienced men.
Google Images (Free use)
I was the last to climb the next ladder and go through the little door onto a balcony.
I took one look out over the magnificent vista and ‘NOPED’ it back down the ladder, backwards and faster than I’d ascended.
Trev went out with the kids to make sure they were safe. I stayed in the wooden box, looking up at the spire, thinking about what I was missing.
I steeled myself and went back out. Determined to NOT look down, I followed my family.
The slope of the spire to the side of me was exceptionally disorienting and I found myself leaning on the spire, trying to walk along the balcony.
There’s an opening-out of the balcony and the view of the courtyard below is magnificent (so I’m told). Both my kids, my offspring, my reasons for living were right at the front of that crowd and ‘Health and Safety’ hadn’t been invented when that wall was built – either that, or the people were smaller than my children and wouldn’t have been able to just topple off the edge like I was certain my kids were about to.
They were BOTH leaning on the top of the wall, at least eighteen inches lower than they were, and jumping up and down, excitedly, pointing at the people and waving at them.
I took one look and gasped out, “My kids…” Bloody hell! They know no danger, do they?
The kids were delighted that I’d made it outside and insisted that I go to look at the other side, along another rooftop. I went, under protest.
I can attest that the flashing on the roof is indeed lead – and soft enough to leave fingerprints in – if you hold on tightly enough!
Obviously I made it back, but you know what they say, last out, first in – and I was!
Google Images (Free use)
I was shaking when we got back to terra firma but we had an additional treat yet.
In the vestry, they had a guest organist. A lad that used to play the organ before going on to university had returned to visit his old church and he played a few pieces while we were there. Dani’s absolute most favourite piece. She turned to me with a delight in her eyes that I would gladly pay £millions to see.
Yeah, she certainly had a happy birthday.
Nice Photograph
Wonderfull memories
Very good story your life
Old photo are always the best memories of our life. Nice family <3
Happy birthday to your kids
Reading this made me feel like I am on the spire, really, for a moment I thought I would slip off my little flat bed...
Very spicy!
Haha! Sorry :)
Wow, beautiful my post @michelle.gent
It's beautiful memories..👌👍
Best of luck in your life😃😃✌
I just saw your new article,
but I have not had time to read it,
and I would like to comment on the image in your new article,
amazing and I think this is a very happy family @michelle.gent
Oh, the things we do to make our children happy. But your daughter had a wonderful birthday and she'll be telling her grandchildren about the very special day she had with her family and how proud she was of her Mom...
No... she laughs at me... LOL!
Takes after her Mom? Cheeky little devil...
Your post is very good and I like it. Hopefully the next post is better than this. thank you for sharing. I like you like I always want to grow with you.
nice story , thanks for sharing it , plz follower me and visit my page @hafidg to discovering some traditionals cosutums and things using in my village from morocco vountry.
I love it when I find an article that makes me feel good while I'm reading. It's a beautiful point that flows with the current shift happening in humanity. I believe people want to do better and we are evolving into a more loving society.
you are a good writer..
Unfortunately, I've discovered you're copy-pasting comments that other users are copy-pasting too.
Because I want to discourage this kind of lazy replying - to my posts especially, I'm now muting you and https://steemit.com/@gamzeuzun
I suggest you move along now, I won't be able to see any of your comments so you'll get no upvotes, help or attention from me.
Bye. Your first impression didn't do well.