Last time we spoke I had been given the chance to temporarily join our kitchen team at work, to offer some support over the Christmas period, and was thoroughly enjoying myself. Well, that position has now become permanent! In a moment of weakness, the head chef agreed to my official appointment. I assume he must have been desperate but barring any major mishaps I think they might be stuck with me and I must say I am delighted!
Also, since we were last here my daughter has turned 18 and it got me thinking about years gone by. To celebrate her 18th, we had a small party at home and invited a select few. I looked around the room and saw that every one of the people present had, in some way, influenced and moulded my little girl. My three closest girlfriends all have two boys so along with her own older brother, Daughter was effectively the youngest of eight and the only girl! Those three friends all helped over the years with play dates, childcare and babysitting and if ever Daughter has something she can’t talk to me about she has, without doubt, three of the wisest ‘Aunts’ to whom she can turn.
She was a shy little bean when we first moved back to Nottinghamshire having spent her first year in North Yorkshire. She was always calm as a baby and never demanding, happy to sit in the wake of the chaos that her older brother created. As she grew and became her own person it was clear she was going to be one to watch. Popular but never pushy or needy, happy in company or on her own, her Dad and I have seen this funny, quick witted, occasional clown blossom into a beautiful, confident young lady. She has big plans for the future – A levels, university, travel – and I for one can’t wait to see her fulfil her dreams and make new ones, and even though I will miss her more than I care to think about, she knows the kettle will always be on if she fancies a trip home. And those three ‘Aunts’ – well they better have the wine ready to get me through!
As well as being immensely proud of both of my ‘kids’ the fact that they are both now over 18 and considered adults leaves me feeling slightly strange. Whilst I will always be here for my little darlings, I realise they no longer need my permission or approval to make any decisions. They are free to make their own way in life, make their own mistakes and pick their own battles. Along with that, both my parents have sadly passed away so I have no elderly relatives to look out for which leaves me feeling a bit adrift and not something I am used to.
I suppose now is the time to think about what I want and how Hubby and I are going to make plans for our future to see us through to retirement. Given my slight change of career, retirement won’t be any me soon but having selfishness forced upon us is a mighty strange experience. Thank God I wore the head chef down so I’ve got a new challenge to keep me out of trouble – well, that’s the plan anyway!