Ending The Old Year...
Well it is old after all.
The end of 2023 is nigh. As I am all about being old, I thought I should say goodbye to the Old Year rather than wishing you all a Happy New Year, which I do. As you can see, I have lost none of my rambling nonsense over the last couple of weeks.
Many Substack posts have prompts to help look back over the last year. It is a good thing to reflect on what has happened and how it has impacted each of us. My year has meant meeting new friends and continuing to develop my writing with fantastic workshop and retreat experiences. It has been a year of accepting the different me, something I have struggled with since John, my husband and Sarah, my daughter, died and losing my professional identity and the safety of my work. I am now more comfortable with being a retired widow. I know I am different from who I was 5 & 1/2 years ago before all this happened. I can't change it. I am not writing down or planning New Year resolutions, but there are tasks & goals I am setting myself to move forward into the next stage of my life.
Christmas is over, and the ten-tonne weight is no longer on my Grinch-like shoulders. When I woke up on Boxing Day with a light feeling, I realised how much the whole period had brought me down. I enjoyed Christmas Day with my son. We had a sociable, peaceful day, with both of us doing our own thing when and if we wanted. We both needed time for reflection.
We need to develop an alternative to Christmas for those of us who, for whatever reason, find it hard or want an alternative. Alternative trimmings and, in particular, greetings such as having a 'Happy Christmas' would help too. I have been interested in the number of people on Substack talking about celebrating Solstice. Although I could observe the Solstice, I would like something different for Christmas. I don't want to be a Grinch but would love an alternative. Not a day called anti or alternative Christmas, far too negative; just a different one. Any suggestions for 2024?
It is official Humphrey has lost the plot:
Firstly, why lie in an exceedingly large muddy puddle wagging your tail?
Secondly, why on earth do you think I am going to enter said puddle to retrieve and throw your ball 🎾? If you are wondering, no I didn't. Humphrey came out and shook himself all over me for the 10th time.
I am planning Substack topics over the coming couple of months. There is no point listing them here as they are bound to change once I start writing them 😁
If you are celebrating the New Year enjoy whatever you are doing. If you are not I wish peace and some calm.
My posts are all free so please do make a curmudgeonly old woman happy by subscribing or sharing my rambles.
I couldn't agree more, Jo. I like the idea of books only as presents. But a day settling down with a book for me would be bliss. Particularly how my ‘steam’ fire is working again. They are very effective. It hasn’t all Christmas period. My house maybe very old but they took the chimney down in my part so I can't have a real fire.
I wouldn't ruin the period for families and those who enjoy Christmas. I just want a different way of having my day that people accept is ok. Xxx
I'm sorry to hear about your losses. I have the same feelings towards Christmas after having loss in my life. As I get older, I find my main concern is just to be kind to myself. Many don't understand this, but it does help me to cope. This is the first time I have come across your substack and I really enjoyed reading it.