AND FINALLY

How new life unites generations

LAST weekend I quoted readers’ views about what should be expected of grandparents.

I didn’t say that just before that column appeared I was made a granny for the fourth time — when my very special, brave daughter-in-law gave birth to their second son.

Needless to say there was much rejoicing on the homestead where we all live.

Then, last Sunday, my parents came for lunch — and met their fourth great-grandchild.

Watching my mother cradle the baby boy with gentle wonder on her face and my father (with seriously impaired sight now) hold out a finger to be grasped by the latest addition to the family was so touching.

I thought how miraculous it is to reflect on the years that separate those generations, bridged by a tiny pink hand curling round an old finger.

When Dad was born in 1922 the British Empire was at its largest extent, covering a quarter of the world and ruling over one in four people.

David Lloyd George was prime minister; the Transport and General Workers’ Union was formed and so was the BBC; Irish politics dominated the news; Gandhi was arrested in India, and the first woman was allowed to practise as a solicitor. When Mum was born in 1924, George V still reigned, and the Conservatives — under Stanley Baldwin — won a landslide victory over Labour in the General Election.

Margaret Bondfield became the first woman to be appointed a government minister — and an international crisis over World War I German reparations was at last resolved.

Nobody could have predicted babies then would see a second world war — that their adulthood would be stained by the horror of Nazi Germany and the holocaust.

There are no crystal balls, thank goodness — only the indescribable joy of one moment in summer when all the generations are present to witness the sharing of a love that graces our world.

Bel answers readers’ questions on emotional and relationship problems each week. Write to Bel Mooney, Daily Mail, 2 Derry Street, london W8 5TT, or email bel.mooney@dailymail.co.uk. Names are changed to protect identities. Bel reads all letters but regrets she cannot enter into personal correspondence.