Just One Wish

The Whirlwind had one wish on his Summer Bucket List.......Just one.................I worried about how I was going to make it come true.................................I fretted about him being disappointed if he didn't get to do it.........................His one wish was to do Falconry...................................................

As we planned our activities at Centre Parcs a certain adventure jumped out and smacked me on the nose...................FALCONRY Ages 12 and up........................Yipppppeeeeeeee!!!!!

We said nothing to him and carried on the week as normal. On Wednesday morning we headed off telling him we were going to do Archery, little did he know as we cycled over hills and round past the Archery turning he was about to get a huge surprise. Suddenly it was upon us and he skidded to a halt almost crashing into the back of me "Mum.....Mum.....Look.....It says Falconry"............................"I know, come on" I replied.

It was at this moment my heart almost melted, his eyes glistened as the realisation hit him....."Am I doing it"? His little voice sounded "Yep" I said.

What happened after was probably one of the most magical moments in his and our lives, we sat and listened to the trainer who was fascinating. Two little birds sat on stands waiting to show off and The Whirlwind looked on in complete silence and awe.

He stood while the Kestrel flew to his arm and smiled the biggest smile I had ever seen. He waited while the next one (slightly bigger) did the same and again grinned like a Cheshire Cat.


We sat behind taking pictures and smiling with him like it was contagious, then words that slightly alarmed me "You will all need a bigger glove now" said Alison the trainer.................A bigger glove......................What the heck was coming out from behind that curtain....................................

The Whirlwind took it all in his stride and gave me a cheeky wink as the curtain went back (I think he had seen what was coming).................Then the biggest bloody bird I have ever seen came out on Alison's arm..........................I took a sharp intake of breath as it glared at me almost mocking my fear.


Now, I am not a religious woman but I actually crossed myself in the small hope that God was looking down and would pardon my sudden need to do this. Mr DG looked at me in horror, the other parents all looked at me then back at the bird and The Teenager lent across and asked if she could have his room as a walk in wardrobe.....Charming.

This beast was called Ed (like that would make me feel any better about him) he had the biggest set of claws I had ever seen and was about to fly at my little boy and land on his arm...................."What does he eat" someone from the crowed asked....."Small horses, goats, deer" she replied "they pick them up, and usually drop them over a cliff to kill them. Takes all the hard work out of it " she said whilst laughing..........................................WHAT !!!!! My child weighs less than any of those animals and could easily be lifted up and dropped off a cliff...............................

The Whirlwind stood there holding his arm up as the horse with wings swooped in and landed (gracefully I have to say) on his arm. Veins in his neck popped as he struggled to keep his arm still "OK....Ed........Lets have you" Alison said. I have never felt such relief in my life as it completely ignored my son and once again gave me a look that said "Chill out Mumma......If I wanted a good feed I would of come for you love"......................................

Needless to say that The Whirlwind couldn't of smiled any harder and almost combusted as we left the arena. To say it was the best day of his life was an understatement and he is still talking about it now.

There really is nothing like the feeling of making a dream come true for your kids is there? Lets hope he's satisfied now and doesn't feel the need to go diving with sharks next..............................


Lots Of Love
Me
xxxxxx