this post brought to you by a 1am fire alarm, I cannot sleep, who burns toast at 1am anyway?

[raven]

My father was in London a few days ago, doing exciting things for his college, and came up to Oxford on his way home to visit me. He said he wouldn't come if it would distract me. I said I wanted distracting, by this stage. So he came, and wandered into the city with me, and he came up to my room briefly, noted that if this was what it looked like when I tidied up then he didn't want to know what it looked like before, and then fed me a very nice lunch, and we walked down along the Isis for a bit. I told him the various things I have been reading about/doing to stay sane, and pointed out the prettier bits of the Parks, he told me about the stuff he's doing for the college in India, we paused to take in a few civilised overs as various of the University's cricket teams were playing under the trees. It was very calm, and pleasant, and sane-making.

Before he disappeared, he left me with a bag of stuff: my mum's iPod, which she said she was lending me if I was nice to it; an enormous bag of very very nice jellybeans; the wedge of forms required to reapply for a photocard driving licence; the red Pucca wallet I used when I was fourteen, as I am currently without one. Giving me that last thing, he said, "Don't just put that in a drawer, there's some money in it. Your mum insisted."

I thanked him, and he went off to get his train. Putting the things away, I noted that there was indeed some money in it: £33.50, to be exact.

Which was, I thought, a strangely specific figure, and strangely familiar. It has just now dawned on me - now, at 2.14am when I am awake for no reason and unconsciously grinding my teeth - that it's the exact amount required for a single ticket from Oxford to Liverpool Lime Street.

In other words, my parents would still love me if I packed it in right now and went home without taking my Finals.

I have no intention of doing this, and it's not as if I actually doubted it, but. It is a very nice realisation to have had at 2.14am when I can't sleep and the awful things are five days away and I'm beginning to panic and... yeah.

Comments

[deathbyshinies.livejournal.com]

*hugs you*

*and your parents, too*

[wishfulaces.livejournal.com]

Oh, what brilliant and wonderful parents you have. :)

[brewsternorth.livejournal.com]

*hugz0rz*

oh, and tell me about fire alarms at odd hours. Only during my time, it was all the smokers in the Lindsay Bar puffing out enough nicotine to bring down the armoured might of the fire brigade at modestly regular intervals.

[forthwritten.livejournal.com]

That's a really, really lovely thing to do.

[isiscolo.livejournal.com]

Stick it out, kid. You'll be fine.

*hearts you*

[jonquil.livejournal.com]

Awwww. Nice parents.

Good luck through these harried times. (Says the clueless American.)

[amchau.livejournal.com]

Many, many hugs, my dear.

[the-acrobat.livejournal.com]

Your parents are wonderful.
You're going to be alright. *hugs you*

[vampire-kitten.livejournal.com]

That is the sweetest thing ever.

[anotherusedpage.livejournal.com]

God your parents are awesome, aren't they?

Hang in there. You are loved.

[absinthe-shadow.livejournal.com]

This is ridiculous, but reading that almost made me cry. How absolutely lovely your parents are.

[marymac.livejournal.com]

Aww. Many moons ago, my uncle did that. Its the most comforting thing in the world. Your parents are very sensible :)

[sunlightdances.livejournal.com]

That's just so sweet of your parents.

[luminometrice.livejournal.com]

Ditto and a half to what everyone's just said. Good genes :D

Cunning plan: if ground floor flat do it again we (as responsible members of society) shall take a short break to don ninja outfits, go there and steal the fuse from their hob. Oh, and their toaster. And all their pots and pans.

Deal?

[triptogenetica.livejournal.com]

Yes, brilliant parents. It's nice that they can make one cry occasionally - in a good way.

I will lend you people the necessary tools to deactivate the bottom flat's kitchen, if so required.

[tau_sigma]

Oh, that is just lovely. *squishes you*

Exams are not nice, but they will be over soon, and it will all be FINE, and the sun will shine and there will be small fluffy kittens everywhere and picnics with champagne and strawberries.

[loneraven.livejournal.com]

waitwaitwait, you were at Balliol?

[loneraven.livejournal.com]

Deal. Really cool ninja outfits with sparkly bits. And afterwards we can hit them with their own pots and pans.

[shimgray.livejournal.com]

...a really big hammer?

[brewsternorth.livejournal.com]

MT 2001, studying Modern History. Unlikely we met, but still...

[pinkdormouse.livejournal.com]

HUGS

You'll be splendid.

a memory of love

[brainwane]

I thought of this post today, of how much you got to enjoy your father's company, and how thoroughly your parents conveyed their love and support, in word and deed and gesture. I hope this comment helps you remember it too, if that is useful to you.