Aladdin, Panto in Derry

I may be an adult in age but when it comes to Panto season I'm a child at heart. If it's one thing you do with your child this Christmas, do make it a visit to the annual Derry panto!
Part of the annual Christmas tradition here in the North West of Ireland is the staging of the Milennium Forum pantomime. This year is certain not to disappoint with Aladdin, in association with Dunnes Stores, commencing on Friday December 4th.
"The Forum's fine tradition of staging pantomimes continues to provide the very best in festive entertainment." (Derry Journal)

When street urchin Aladdin frees a genie from a lamp, he finds his wishes granted. However, he soon finds the evil Jafar has other plans for the lamp - and for Princess Jasmine. But can Aladdin save the Princess and his love for her after she sees that he isn't quite what he appears to be?
This year 2015 in Derry sees William Caulfield, the panto Dame, celebrate his 10th year as the star of the Forum's panto. He never fails in delivering a fun-filled, lively entertaining show and I don't doubt this year will be no exception.
Young and old alike will desend on Derry's Millennium Forum and kickstart Christmas with a bang. Others will wait until after the big day and unwind with this fabulous show.
Tickets for the said show which will run from December 4th until January 3rd can be purchased online at Millennium Forum Box Office now.
An avid fan of panto from my youth I can certainly recommend this as an absolutely amazing family experience for all ages. This is one show you don't want to miss this Christmas.

GMcC

World Prematurity Day 2015

Today marks the 5th World Prematurity Day. Today is a day I hold very close to my own heart. It is a day I remember my eldest son being born. I was just 28 weeks pregnant when the boy decided to make an appearance. He was born at St. Munchins Maternity Hospital in Limerick and it is a day I shall never forget.
My eldest son was born at just 28 weeks gestation and was given just a slim chance at survival. He weighed in at just over 3lb's and dropped to 2lb 14 after the first day.
St. Munchins Maternity Hospital in Limerick provided him and us with the utmost of care and thanks to all of the staff there our little boy defeated all the odds.

We were told that if he survived the first 72 hours that the odds were in his favour. He did just that and made it from one week to the next. After just 4 weeks the boy weighing just 4 lbs was moved out of the incubator and into a cot. We were beside ourselves with excitment. And just 4 more weeks after this, we were allowed to take our little 5lb baby home.
The doctors told us that this little boy was a born fighter. He told us that he really was a special little man. Very few premature babies get discharged from hospital before their due date and here was our wee man going home a whole month before he was due to be born.
His consultant did tell us to be prepared that our boy would always be small for his age and have a low IQ. We didn't mind this as we just wanted our boy alive and well.
But now 24 years later, he really did defy all odds. He proudly stands at 6 foot tall and with a higher that average IQ, he went on to prove everyone wrong.
World Prematurity Day will always hold a special place in my heart. Please take a moment today and remember all our babies that are born too soon. Not everyone is as lucky as we have been.

GMcC

My sympathy with Paris

On Friday night last as the terror attack struck Paris, I was inside The Arts Theatre in London's West End with my 17 year old son. We had travelled to London to see the musical American Idiot for the said boy's forthcoming 18th birthday.
Having spent the day on Friday doing all the sites of London we ventured into Leicester Square at approximately 7pm. We spent almost an hour just wandering around watching folk walk by and taking in all the illuminated sights. The boy had never been to London and was thoroughly enjoying this night time experience in the city centre. We laughed and we joked as we people-watched, and then we made our way to the theatre.
As I purchased a glass of fine wine for myself and apple juice for himself (yes he really is teetotal), we then made our way downstairs to the theatre for the show. We settled ourselves into the allocated seats and spent the next two hours, singing, humming, and just enjoying the sheer brilliance that was on the London stage. Huge Green Day fans, we both rocked to the beat.
At no time did I feel concerned or worried or otherwise. I was just very happy and content with the boy at this, his first West End experience. The theatre was rather dark and dreary but the stage was alight with musical talent. I don't normally like dark and dreary environments but I still felt very much at ease here.
When the two hours were up my boy and I left the theatre feeling very much elated with what we just witnessed. We sauntered along the London streets oblivious to what had happened in Paris. We even went underground and took the 'Tube' back to Russel Square. And then we stopped at Sub-Way, as the boy was hungry.
When we eventually arrived back at our hotel room, we settled into our cosy twin beds and logged onto our facebook. I sat bolt upright as soon as I saw the words 'terror attack' on Paris. As I read a number of pieces, I learned that 12 people had been killed that night. I was aghast and decided to put the phone down as this was spoiling the night I had just experienced. As we were both shattered it didn't take long for sleep to welcome us.
By 7am I was crying on my bed. I had awoken early and logged on to see just what had happened the previous night. As the events unfolded before my very eyes in words, I began to put myself in the position of those poor people. As I sat in a London theatre next to my son, these people had stood/sat next to each other in a similar theatre in Paris. Tears ran down my face as I tried to imagine what these people must have felt on realising  what was happening around them. This could so easily have been us that previous night.
But it wasn't us, it was 100+ people in Paris. My tears were getting stronger as I realised just how horrific the terror was. I dressed and went walking the streets of London. I felt a common bond with everyone I met....we were all thinking the same thing....we were all thinking on Paris.
My son and I left London on Saturday afternoon. We talked about Paris for the rest of the day. We tried to imagine how the Parisian people were feeling. We could only be certain of how we were feeling. Sombre and sad. There was nothing that we could do, and to say we felt helpless was an understatement. But we had to journey on and make our trip home.
Paris has been on our mind ever since. As a Mum I can only send my sincerest condolences to the people of Paris. As a Mum I can only be thankful that my son is alive and well. I can only be thankful that my three sons are alive and well.
I guess the moral of my story is, treasure your children. None of us know what tomorow will bring. Paris didn't!

GMcC