We went to the in-laws this year, as last – the disadvantage
of having my family being abroad! I actually get on with them very well, and I’ve
been welcomed into the family in the most touching way. Nevertheless, it’s
sometimes a struggle and this year as much as ever.
Fella’s mother has terminal liver cancer and she is clearly
deteriorating very fast. His father reacts to this with extraordinary anger,
and certainly 2012 will have to see Fella supporting them a lot more and me
supporting him doing that.
On the plus side it was great to see my brother- and
sister-in-law again – for the first time since their wedding - and when all of
us were together we had so much fun. I was given a book on art deco and a
lovely top from Fella. I gave him a wine and cheese tasting evening (with a
friend) in January and a wash-bag which he can use in his new role as event
manager, which takes him all over the country. The others got a book, or for my
mother-in-law a kindle voucher as she spends a lot of time in hospital…
There was more food than we could eat – yeah, that’s
Christmas – and a lot of the gifts centred on chocolates and biscuits and fine
coffees; that was my father-in-law buying on his mother’s behalf, and i am touched she included me on the gift list, canny old bird that she is.
Now we’re back. After a couple of stressful days I
practically jumped Fella when we got home... but that’s another story. Now, in
the few days we have until we return to work in the new year I’m looking forward
to some quiet relaxation, seeing friends and generally taking advantage of the
break.
This year really has had its ups and downs and in many ways
I’m looking forward to it being over. It hasn’t been bad, not at all; but there
are so many things to do that 2012 needs a run up. I’m actually really looking
forward to what might just be the (second) most important year ever ;-) and
this Christmas is almost a sabbatical from the challenges ahead, no matter how
much I relish them.
I’ll post about what needs to be done in 2012 in the New
Year , and I will certainly be relaxing until then, so let me take this
opportunity to wish you all the best for the festive season; my thanks for reading
about my middle-classed wittering about my ordinary life; and the hope that your
2012 will be your best year so far; but not your best year ever!
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