As our holiday will be upon us soon, I have realised that this is probably the last time that (the three remaining home based children) will be coming with us.
Next year the idea of going on holiday with Mum and Dad, will be replaced with an exciting ‘friends’ holiday instead.
On one hand, that makes me happy, but on the other hand, it’s quite sad. The recognition that we will soon be going alone makes me question what life is really all about.
It’s a very big question that, I think, everyone will ask themselves many times in their lives.
Unfortunately, i don’t have the answer, and, it would be different for everyone so I won’t even try to give my view on this.
Before you know it the kids are grown up, the grand children are arriving and the wrinkles begin to appear! Does life begin again at this point? Do you reinvent the next stage of life and go again?
There is so much to enjoy if we can only be happy with getting older! The frustration of not being the star on a football pitch needs to be replaced by the admiration of others succeeding. I see my kids doing all of the things I use to do, possibly for the first time, and wonder if they really appreciate it as much as I think I did.
Going to a festival, doing another shift at work or playing men’s football are experiences that become the norm and maybe end up a bit dull, after a while. These things are missed later in life and the memories are always recounted amongst friends from the past and present.
My stories are getting better and better each time I tell them and, even the bad events, have now become interesting adventures or funny incidents.
I have to say I wouldn’t change how my life has been, up to now, and I want to be able to say that in 50 years time (well maybe 40 years!).
I am planning to tick things off of the bucket list, while I can still do them, and will make sure I enjoy the rest of the journey, wherever it takes me!
Don’t sweat the small stuff, enjoy life, love, laugh and live in the present – it is all we really have.