Swansong

I’m a bit overwhelmed and I’m still running late!
First of all thank you for the love for Miss Esme Rae. She is something else I know but I love that you can see it too.
And then the concert last night undid me. One of the most beautiful and exceptional things I’ve ever been to. This might be a long blip but I want to record it. In 2019 Robert and Finola attended a concert by Justin Grounds and afterwards Robert asked if he accepted commissions. He did and Robert asked him to write a piece for Finola’s 70th birthday. There was no stipulation other than it be based on the story of the Children of Lir - this is an ancient and very sad Irish myth about four children who are turned into swans by their wicked stepmother - the girl is called Finola. The work was completed and then Covid arrived and it remained unperformed, though Robert and Finola had a copy.
Last night was its premier. First we watched the short film. Please do take 10 minutes out of your life to watch - absolutely beautiful. I was already unravelling when the concertina was introduced - Finola’s Jig, composed by Robert. It was so him.
Then the piece was performed live. Justin played the keyboard and other musicians included a bassoonist, a cellist, a recorder player, a fiddle player, and concertina player. The dancer slipped in in the role of a swan - a middle aged woman with  down's syndrome and I wondered whether I should even mention this but I think I should as she is part of the Amici dance theatre group , who include disabled and non-disabled performers. This was the most genuine and heartbreaking performance ever, and afterwards, as the ovation continued, her grin was enormous. 
Totally undone by this point, we all arose, damp eyed - some of us distinctly blubbering - and stunned. Words didn't seem enough and there was a lot of hugging. 
Finola coped wonderfully and through her tears noted wryly that Robert had set the bar very high for husbands! 

Today I have been on airport duty and Will is now back for a few days. It’s his birthday and we have eaten a large supper of mac n’ cheese and been down to Kitchen Cove for a spot of skimming.  I stalked some swans but they sailed off, kindly leaving a feather in their wake.
I lied about the catching up - it not be for some time!