2016 - Looking Back with Joy

Travel, More Loss and a baby!

So after the huge year that was 2014, a year of re-adjustment and re-consideration of how to be in 2015, I thought 2016 was going to be easier! Huh - what is easier?? Is there any such thing as easy or is there just something that is our life. 

It can be hard no doubt at all but is it ever easy or just more enjoyable than the hard times?

My take is that life is not easy, not meant to be easy because that infers that we are not trying,  just cruising through it. Each day we should try to be our best, do our best, to get the best out of each day and if that looks like less than yesterdays best, well the main thing is to enjoy it for what it is. Some days it might look like mine - still in PJs at 2 p.m. Huh! what do I care, I'm still having a great day. 

It is a definite choice in life to search out the Happy, "Find the Treasure every day, Kathy" darling Louise used to tell me. And it is there even if it is just a divine cup of tea; made just right, drunk at just the right temperature and savoured from a lovely cup.

And to say that life is easy kind of diminishes the potency of life. 
To say one had an easy life takes the power out of every other life that may or may not draw from the same kind of status, monetary comfort or physical robustness. Is Miranda Kerr, in all of her seemingly ease of life, any happier than you, me or Meghan Markle?  Even MM has her troubles 
#awkwardfather

Life can and is at times so wonderful though you think "What have I ever done to deserve this kind of happiness?"  I have certainly had those times, yes when Chris was alive and we were so in love with each other and happy, but I can tell you that I have also had them since. Something that I thought would never be possible again but it is,it can be ~ it's just different.

2016 brought another beautiful time into my life - the time I became a Momo again to another gorgeous male child.

The joy in holding that dear little baby was beyond...beyond happiness.  How can such a tiny little scrap make your heart burst?  I dont know.

Morrison Christopher was born in January, kicking the year off to a fabulous start. Morrison was such a blessing not only for his fother and Father but also to so many relatives and friends. We had been waiting, hoping, praying that he would finally make into the world and when he did it was joyous.

Three Gorgeous little cousins enjoying morning tea

I travelled again in 2016 and while at times this was challenging for a myriad of reasons, I did experience great joy and happiness on those travels. 

One instance was when I returned to the hotel at Marble Arch in London where Chris I stayed in Oct 2013.  When we were there the city experienced a severe cold snap so we bought Chris a big, warm coat with a furry hood.

As we packed to return to Australia, I wondered what we might do with the coat (too big to fit in our cases).  Chris thought he might offer it to the beautiful doorman Michael, who had always been ready with a cheery smile, a "Good Morning" and a bit of a yarn before we set out for the day's adventure. 

I wonder if you can imagine my joy, when I returned over two years later and Michael was still there. He remembered Chris, still had the coat, still wore the coat and was genuinely sad when I told him my Darling was no longer by my side. 

The joy came as I thought, even though he is gone from me, his kindness and love for others lives on.  In that coat, in his legacy to look after his family and in his beautiful way of living for others. See, what did I do to deserve that man? 

2016 also brought more loss. The passing of my dear Dad. That in itself deserves it's own story but the essence of this one is to say that no matter what it looks like, Life can be joyous even when it is not easy.  The past four and half years have not been easy at all but by gosh they have also been full of love, comfort, friendship, beautiful family times and joy. 

Back to Happy

 Where have I been?  What have I seen?  Who have I met? Who have I lost?

Three years since I have sat at this seat in front of the laptop and typed on this platform.  To say that life got in that way is the biggest understatement and I wont try to fill you in with all that has surpassed but needless to say I have been busy! 

Returning from the South Pacific, docking at dawn in Sydney

The most intriguing, surprising and challenging occurrance was my retirement from fulltime paid employment in Deccember 2017.  I had thought I would retire at 60 and be very happy with that but a series of chance remarks, meetings and interventions  gave me the option to retire at 56. 

Next week sees a momentus time in my life...I turn 57! Why momentus - because I can access my superannuation thereby giving me a new source of income.  Sleepless nights, nervous tummies, hand wringing and more conversations than my friends and families  deserve have finally brought me to this position. How blessed am I ~ I know that Lady Luck, God in all his wisdom and fate have all been kind.

Travel, spending precious time with my grandsons, who are adorable, and learning how to be a single retired lady are high on the agenda for the next few months.  Hopefully over the next few weeks I will be able to share with you some of my next advernture:  Next week I am putting my car on the Bass Strait ferry and travelling around Victoria before I head up to Canberra to see my daughter and grandson (SIL will be on training in QLD).
                                              
                                              Oh The Places I Will Go !

Cruising the Pacific - warm swims in beautiful oceans

Life still puzzles me, enthralls me and brings me to my knees - with wonder, amazement and despair.  I am still learning how to be a sucessful widow, a dedicated Mum and Momo, a good friend and a supportive sister.  It is an ongoing work, artform, dedication that I hope will last me to my last black of Lindt chocolate.  So many adventures to go, I hope that I can document them and you can come along with me through the words and pictures. 

Flowers from a friend - the best kind