The hierarchy of my heart. Our hearts are the most amazing things and our capacity to love knows no bounds. I find it an extraordinary comfort because love conquers everything and makes the worst situations bearable.

If you know you are surrounded by love then everything is possible. I think about my heart as having compartments. It is so full of people from all generations. Probably the person who was oldest in my little heart was my grandfather James Bowe. He died when I was about five, in his nineties.

Now, to the youngest who has arrived in this beautiful world and claimed her rightful place in my big soft heart. She has entered my grandchildren’s chamber and elbowed Peter to one side and Ricky to the other.

Of course, it doesn’t mean I love them any less but for now Katie Margaret O’Leary is right in the centre of that chamber. The news came through very early on the morning of 30 January from Philip. My granddaughter had arrived.

I had expected her as her dad, Philip and her mam, Aileen had let more than a few “her’s” and “she’s” slip at unsuspecting moments. I banked them all, hugging the notion of a little granddaughter to myself.

Tears flowed

The tears flowed down my face with relief and welcome for the newest member of our family. I whispered to myself, “I have a granddaughter” and to have her called Katie after me is such a huge honour.

I got my name Katherine from my grandmother Catherine Bowe. She was long dead before I was born, having contracted rheumatic fever as a young woman. Somehow, it caused her to die very young when the eldest of her four children was only 12 years old.

That name now passes to little Katie from her great, great grandmother. That is quite phenomenal. My brother Phil and I were discussing this recently and we think that Catherine might even go back two further generations.

A happy granny

Knowing that Katie had come into the world was enough. I was determined that I would wait as long as was necessary to keep her safe before seeing her. The longing to cuddle her close and see her little face was overpowering.

Then Philip called me. The little family were heading home from hospital and if I’d like to see Katie, I could call up to see her. Philip placed his daughter gently in my arms. I was lost for words at her beauty and perfection. It was an emotional moment to be banked in my heart forever.

Over the last few weeks I’ve got to know Katie’s little ways. I try to give her lovely mam, Aileen little breaks while I cuddle Katie. It’s the most beautiful down time for me away from the madness of calving cows and newborn calves. I talk to Katie and I know that her little heart is storing my voice.

One day I was chatting to her gently. I watched as she went through all her facial expressions learning which one was the most appropriate one to use for Granny.

She tried a cross face, then a grimace, before a curious face, and then finally breaking into a little smile.

Babies have to learn everything and I’m already looking forward to her real smiles when they come.

At the moment she is a carbon copy of her mammy, Aileen. Seeing the two black heads together makes my heart skip a beat.

Life has utterly changed for Philip and Aileen. Soon, they will find it hard to remember a time without her. What a lucky little girl she is. The little camogie stick won’t be far away.

I’m a happy granny.