Happy New Year

It's Hogmanay 2016. There are only a few hours left of this year. The sun is setting over the Melbourne skyline and below me in the city people are getting ready to party and welcome in 2017.

I'm in Peter Mac hospital, I've been here all day with Scott and the kids will be travelling in to the city soon to join us 'see in the bells' together. We should hopefully have an excellent view of the city fireworks yet avoid the crush of the city centre. We should have a vantage point for the Docklands fireworks to our right and the city to our left. Always looking for the brighter side of life , when I gathered the children yesterday afternoon to explain that Dad needs to be in hospital for a few days we realised we could still all celebrate New Year together ( permission permitting ...which was absolutely not a problem...with doctors and nurses checking out our vantage point).

We, as a family , have had reason to celebrate this year. We became Australian citizens, we dared to dream of a fabulous family trip and had just that in June/ July when we went to Tasmania. We 'did' Deb and survived! We squeezed in a trip to Scotland and did so much in 6 tiny days...we certainly experienced more than 6 days worth of love and laughter in that time...love and laughter that has buoyed us many times in past 6 months.

We've learned new words...(one of my favourites is vesicant) We've met new people. We've experienced more than we had hoped for. We have experienced much kindness...we've experienced much numpty-ness but we just inwardly tut and move on. We've experienced much love and realised the power of a hug ( just NOT on a hot day please!) . We have all probably experienced more inner strength than we knew we had.

We also have experienced utter sadness, disappointment, worry, concern, anticipatory grief , confrontation after confrontation ...the whole journey is so confronting. But we take life a day at a time and just keep on keeping on because that is sometimes all we can do.

Scott has had a very poorly week but is now in the right place and being treated ( like really treated...meals on a tray and films on a laptop!) we've had thorough discussions with doctors and been listened to. The ability to listen isn't necessarily a pre-requisite for medical school although I think it should be.

We are grateful for the love and support we have from friends and family in all directions of this world. So from our family , as the sun sets on 2016 and the city sparkles in the night we wish you all happiness for 2017. Wish that you have someone or something to love and be loved by. That you have laughter in your lives ...or at the very least a smile every day.

Happy New Year when it comes x

#livelaughandlove