Looking back and looking forward.

I could not stop thnking about this lion last night. We saw him inthe Serengeti in 2013. This wonderful photo taken by my husband.

The following taken by me at the same time.

Just to give a sense of perspective.

And this year has been a good one for perspective. It started off sadly and badly with lockdowns and covid, but gradually things got better. We couldn’t go anywhere, but somehow it stopped mattering. We began to live in the moment more – this was absolutely exemplified right in the middle of the year when my youngest daughter decided to have her engagement party, and had invited the whole family. I was thrilled to be going and then I had the surprise of my life – she had not only invited her brother and her fiance’s whole immediate family, but had also persuaded her big sister to come down from Bolton. I hadn’t seen her for about 18 months at that point. I was not expecting her or her fiance to be at this celebration. so consequently when I saw a strange couple coming into the venue I was somewhat surprised, not to say annoyed! I had not recognised them at all. The shock was overwhelming and I was in tears – but the joy was great. The family was complete.

Whenever I am a bit down I think of that moment – life is always full of surprises – but this year’s have been particularly good.

And we did manage to get away. To Mallorca for my birthday and to Lisbon for our 43rd wedding anniversary. Wonderful trips. And then the most unexpected highlight when I went to Split with my son to meet an adopted cousin. I’ve started writing about it and I will continue next year.

Christmas 2020 was a washout – but Christmas 2021 more than made up for it. The first Christmas I think with all my family since 2013. Some achievement, thanks to my daughter who hosted the two days fabulously.

So I have a lot to be grateful for. I’m not going to bore you with challenges, goals or resolutions. I’m not going to practise the piano or give up smoking. I’m not going to run a marathon, or make my own clothes.

There are things I want to achieve, or do better, of course, but perhaps this isn’t the forum. Just so long as I remember to look around me, take my time, appreciate what I have and even more importantly, the people in my life. Day by day.

Thank you to everyone who reads me – I have enjoyed the writing more and more, especially as some of you are kind enough to acknowledge that you’ve read some of my posts. It’s very encouraging. As always, please let me know if there’s something you want to me to tackle – I have a little list already, but always ready for some more ideas.

In the meantime, have a Very Happy, Healthy and Peaceful New Year 2022