Hi there

Thanks for popping in. How’s it going? I have to tell you – I’ve had the BEST couple of days! Yesterday, I went into work early, and a few of us had a little end-of the-year meeting. It felt so special. Don‘t know why. I just had this overwhelming sense of goodness, pure and simple. Spending an hour with a group of hardworking, loyal and kind people, all invested in Clarity, all bright and talented, all ready to have a few days off, but also all excited about the new year, about what we’ve got in the pipeline. It’s abundantly clear that they are all clever individuals, blimming good at what they each do. But as we sat around the big table, the team spirit was palpable. Well, it was for me. And Dave and Paul – my left and right gunners -weren’t even there! Dave was en route to Heathrow, to pick up Grace, and Paul was on Create & Craft. I have so much to be grateful for, I really do.

So Dave dropped Grace off at my dear friend Carron’s house, aka best mate and best hairdresser in the whole wide world. Then, after we shut up shop at lunchtime, I headed over to her place, to spend a happy hour in her lovely company, and pick up a refreshed Grace, after her little welcome-back-to-Blighty-pick-me-up-haircut-and-condition-treat. Spent the rest of the day with Dave and Grace, talking and listening, laughing, eating and watching Lord of the RIngs. Violent, or what! The film, not us!! Good grief! The Return of the King. Hardcore. Not exactly an uplifting Christmas feelgood film!

And today, we got up super early, and headed off to Lewes to do some last minute Christmas Shopping. FREE PARKING and a full English Breakfast at Bill’s? What better way to spend Christmas Eve Eve? Lewes is a lovely town about half an hour south of us as the crow flies, nestled in the South Downs. Bit bohemian, bit hippy, lots of antique shops and little arty boutique gift shops. Lots of handcrafted, made by local artists. Not mass produced stuff. More expensive? Certainly. More beautiful and meaningful? Certainly. Then Dave’s sister arrived from Devon, and we’ve had a smashing afternoon, chatting and catching up. She’s lovely.

Grace is wrapping presents, Barb (Dave’s sis is also a Barb) is snoozing with Ragnar on her lap, Dave is nodding off in front of the log fire, and I am writing to you.

I made my mind up this Christmas to enjoy it. Going with the flow, one day at a time. I was dreading it to be honest, because last Christmas it was all going haywire and wrong with Dad, and then he died. But actually, it’s ok. No more bad days for Dad. As soon as I say that to myself, my spirits are lifted, and Life goes on. Acceptance is peace. He’s here, of course.

Quote for today?

Don’t forget to look around and appreciate the things that are going right as well

I will love you and leave you now. Grace is going out with her bestie this evening, and us oldies are going to spend a pleasant evening together. Life is good.

I hope with all my heart that you are in a good place, a safe place, a warm place.

Love always,

Barb x

PS Here’s Grace, striking a festive pose by the Big Tree near Wall Street…