 We cannot begin to thank you enough
for everything you have done for us over the
marathon. At the end of it, all five of us (You,
Andy, Irini, Nikos and I) worked brilliantly as a
team for the best possible outcome. However, I
cannot help but feel you were absolutely
instrumental in guiding and supporting us through
the whole thing. At each of the key turning points
in the journey, you were there to steer us towards
the positive outcome.You were constantly there
with the practical support - whether it be help
keeping the pool full of hot water, magicing up
delicious food or cups of tea. Having flicked
through some of the photos - you seem to be almost a
pro photographer! Your support for Irini was great -
I picked up on you carefully placing your hand down
for Irini to grab while in the pool - allowing her
to make an unspoken decision
 You were fantastic at coaching us. It is seems
easy in the anti-natal classes to remember all the
tips, but it all went out the window when at the
start Irini was breathing through each contraction
with "d-a-m-n i-t". You immediately replace "damn
it" with "yes" and a reminder to not fight the
contractions. I felt able to get back into some kind
of control and keep breathing out "yessss" with
Irini. You kept us mobile or resting, whatever was
appropriate with a constant stream of ideas to get
things moving or get some energy back.
Your steady flow of gentle guiding tips - often
unspoken - to keep me being there for Irini with the
right thing at the particular moment was something
that Irini never realised, but helped us
immeasurably.
 The most important part of the coaching came at
that critical moment. Looking back on it now, I feel
that I went through a partners version of
transition. I felt absolutely hopeless seeing Irini
having given more than she thought she could every
give physically give to then spend a further 3 hours
trying. I couldn't face the thought of us leaving
our home environment to the hospital - but felt we
had to accept it. In that moment of complete doubt
in our teams ability to see Irini push through to
the right conclusion, you were able to pick me up
from the bottom, while still supporting Irini. You
were then able to give me that push to say I had to
support her right then and there. It was down to
that that I ignored any doubt and just went to work
with her. In the end, Irini's big push felt like a
football match when the crowd is all for one side.
You were absolutely brilliant in the role of
gatekeeper. It really felt like you were creating
this space for Irini and I. With the various people
coming in and out of the house - somehow you managed
to make it all work and keep our atmosphere. At the
critical point of making the hospital decision, you
cleared the room in the blink of an eye leaving
Irini and I alone to think as calmly as possible -
it was wonderful to have a minute as just us.
The amazing thing is that reading this now - it
looks like you were totally in control - but
actually, you managed it all while letting us run
the whole thing for ourselves. That is a real
balancing act.
We have had a great first day - we are all doing
well in our right place at home. He has already
managed a nice fountain of pee all over the bed -
so, we have now started on the obvious lessons!
Thank you again for everything. Lots of love, Tim
& Irini x x |
