Do we ever really know what’s ahead?
We speculate, we even think we have it all planned out but even the most organised of us know that not to be true.
The beauty of life is the lack of knowing; the unexpected, the surprises keep us humble. They may not always be to our liking and take some major adjusting but that is what makes it unique. The flip side is the unknown can bring great joy. I have never understood the desire to listen to fortune-tellers or psychics and to rely on future predictions. I never want to know either way what is ahead of me. The unknown is what drives and shapes us into who we are; pre-empting the course of our lives seems short sighted to me.
This year has been a brilliant if a very different year for me.
A daughter is getting married and another became a mother. This is the most wonderful of all changes for both of them and for me. Planning a wedding – I refuse for there to be any stress, only fun – is about the best party there is and we love to throw a party. And the grandbaby.
Part of my character (and I think I am lucky in this way) is not to think about what I’m not or what I don’t have. Avoiding comparisons is one of my golden life rules. Many friends have babies entering their lives and I see the delight but never did I see me as a grandmother.
Now that I am, let me tell you I get it.
In every way I am smitten, overly attached and completely and utterly in love with this little boy. I have been since the moment I heard he was expected and yet nothing prepared me for how I would feel. He is gorgeous and has bought a whole new level of joy to our family.
This growing family has changed me, made me focus and reflect on where I spend my time. Here at VA, my other “home”, the thrill this year has been to launch THE EMPORIUM. So far two collections have been and gone and 20 Best-Kept Beauty Secrets is in the Permanent Collection. I hope to launch the third this week. I plan to curate small regular collections and at the same time continue talking about those subjects that resonate with us. When I have the privilege to send one of my pieces to a reader, I feel our connection has come full circle.
A never-ending list lives on my desk and my mind is full of new ideas for THE EMPORIUM not to mention overflowing files with wedding imagery. I don’t know exactly what the next three months look like but that’s the best part.
Surprises, yes, please. Bring them on. xv
