Whilst cycling with a mate of mine last week, we were having a chat about the future and how we see things going. I mentioned that I think my wife would be running her NEXT store, in about 5 years time.
That made me think of how much she has had to endure, over the last 20+ years, raising a family and maintaining a career.
I expected to have to adapt and change, over the years, as a self employed consultant, it came with the territory!
What I didn’t appreciate was how consistent my wife has been, supporting our family, practically, emotionally and financially. She has always worked (apart from short breaks actually giving birth!) and when times have been tough, she has always stuck at it and we got through it together.
So I told my mate all of this and I realised I’d never told my wife how much I appreciate everything she has done for us – how bad is that? Don’t get me wrong, we do work as a team and always have each others backs, but sometimes that is taken for granted. We have had our ups and downs over the 26 years together. We have raised 4 children, live in a nice area and generally have had a good life – nothing too extravagant, sometimes we felt ‘well off’ and other times felt ‘poor’ and I think that is the same for most people.
Planning the future is certainly on my mind now. I want to enjoy everything about our lives so really need to put some plans in place to ensure that happens.
I have had a skip delivered and have started to empty the rubbish from the loft (I planned this years ago but didn’t action it!) it feels good to throw stuff that is worthless / useless. I never realised how many video’s we had and how many broken toys we kept! Charities are receiving old clothes (meant for the car booty we never did!) and family members are getting some useful things that still do a job.
My loft is looking better and more organised, the back garden is also improving with the old BBQ finally being disposed of and the plastic slide (who thought that was a good idea to keep?) has gone too.
I also have an appointment with a mortgage expert to look changing the mortgage to a better deal and then pay it off quicker!
All things I have been putting off…
It’s time to get serious and enjoy the next 20+ years and show my wife how much I appreciate everything she has done for us.
If you do read this, like you say you do, thank you Sandra xxx
Have you got things to plan an organise and maybe people to thank?