Everybody Needs Good Neighbours!

From comedian & writer Paul Kerensa:

On behalf of the listenership, we were delighted to hear yesterday of Producer Paul’s baby news. For those who missed it, it’s double congratulations – two babies on the scan! He’s a true Radio 2 producer, everything he produces has ‘2’ involved. Good job he doesn’t work for 6 Music...

Three years back, m’wife and I did similarly, though our scan had half as many babies, just the one girl, joining her big brother. They’re at home right now begging my wife to play Let It Go just one more time. Both our kids were born whoppers – nine and a half pounds each. Which all meant nothing to me at the time – I was surprised so many female friends wanted to know the baby weight. Male friends would ask the weight; I'd ask why,; they’d say, “My wife wants to know.” I’ve learned over the years never to introduce anyone female with their weight. Babies you can get away with it – “This is Suzie, 7lb4”; girlfriends not so much “This is Sarah, 14 stone 5...” ... Never goes down well.

A neighbour told me yesterday his son weighed only a couple of pounds when he was born. Now he’s a strapping 6 foot 5. (Not bad for a five year-old...) It’s a reminder that you can start small, but finish big – and without wanting to sound all X-Factor-ish, it’s all about the journey.

The making of us is how we cope with the hurdles and obstacles of life. John Newton wrote: “Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come; Tis grace that brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.” The writer of those words began as a slave trader, before becoming an abolitionist and helping see an end to slavery in this country. He started off with asmall heart and little morals – but he grew.

So big babies, small babies, future babies and producer babies: may you grow with big hearts and big goals, thinking on the words of Mandela: “It’s not where you start, but how high you aim that matters for success.”