It is customary to think about the last twelve months at this time of year. Then, having swept away those cobwebs, set out our hopes for the next year. I have been reading a lot of people’s blogs this weekend. Inspirational people. People who nurture our children on a daily basis. People who work so hard, with such commitment, yet get more and more heaped upon them. I am so glad to be out of that world.
It would be impossible to list my hopes and fears for 2014 (unless I decide to write a book again). But this is my chance to set myself some targets for the coming year. To be fair, some of these are more easily achieved than others – especially those which focus on others in my life. But I’m a mother and grandmother so anything’s possible.
1. I need to take better care of my body by eating more sensibly and taking more exercise. I hate exercise. I love eating. It’s a problem.
2. I need to cut myself some slack in my caring role. The world will not come to an end if I have an afternoon out at the shops.
3. I must stop spoiling my two grandsons so much. No matter how many times I say it, I know I still fail because they are adorable and I just want to bury my face in them both and breathe them in day and night. How is it physically possible to love two little people so much?
4. I want my number one daughter to try and relax more and stop trying to be Mrs. Perfect at Everything. I fear for her physical and mental health if she continues to burn at the current rate. Something’s got to give. At Christmas, I saw her relax and laugh more than she has in a while. It was good to see and I hope she takes more time to do so this year.
5. That brings me to daughter number two. My hopes for her are that she can finally find a gorgeous man (of whatever creed or colour) who will make her happy, respect her and her funny little ways, surround her with love and want to be with her as much as she wants to be with him. She deserves this so much.
6. I must remember to kiss my darling husband every day without fail. We have been together for 41 years now. Each day is better than the one before. He is my best friend and I don’t tell him this enough. I must also stop nagging him so much.
7. I started my current blog last year. I also invented Ava Whinge and her daily whinge. This didn’t last long as I ran out of things to whinge about. However, I hope to get back to blogging more regularly.
8. I’m dreadful at starting new things with great gusto and then giving up. This is true of my first novel. I wrote madly for months and then couldn’t finish it. It is still lying there, taunting me. I must try to reread it and get it finished. I think it is a pretty good storyline and deserves an ending.
9. I have done things I regret. They are in the past but they still needle me from time to time. I need to either let them lie or try to put them right, where possible.
10. I need to stop worrying about the ‘what ifs’. I should live for today and let tomorrow take its course. It is hard to predict what the next year will bring. No doubt there will be joy and tears. But we are a strong family and as long as we have each other, we can get through good times and bad, all pulling together.
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