Well, here we are again, at the time of year that sparks our emotions like no other. For some, poignant, for others celebratory, but for us all, contemplative, as we ponder the challenges, as we anoint it our ‘annus horribilis,’ our horrible year, our ‘annus mirrabilis,’ our wonderful year, or even our ‘annus optimus,’ our year of success and prosperity.
It’s been my habit, for the last twelve years, to share with you the journey of my wife Lena and our family and friends, during 2024, addressing the revitalising nature, the opportunities, and of course, those carbuncles that masquerade as New Year resolutions. Undoubtedly, on a personal level, the highlight for Lena and I, has been watching our grand-daughter Nina grow up. That third year can feature so many challenges, and our delight at seeing Nina reach so many of her key developmental milestones has been unrivalled. Whether it’s what she says or does, she has an old head on those young shoulders, and she knows how to twist me, for one, around her little finger. I’m only ever a smile away.
We absolutely love being grandparents, never taking Nina for granted, but all the praise for how she is growing up must be laid at the feet of her proud parents, Chris and Sasha. They are, I feel, ‘new age’ parents, as they do a lot of research, rarely resting on their laurels, as they seek active, enabling cognitive and social growth opportunities for Nina, and they are doing an amazing job of it.
Other highlights among my family have been back in New Zealand, where we spent time with Kevin, Kathy, Barry and Denise, lifelong Kiwi friends, at Easter time and honestly, it felt like we had never been away, such good mates. Meanwhile, in the deep South, Kian is making a name for himself as an entertainer with several stage appearances to date. Max is also keen on the guitar, while Jackson is showing genuine promise on the rugby paddock. We spent time with Kevin, Kathy, Barry and Denise, lifelong Kiwi friends, Sue and Dave, Pete and Julene, at Easter time, and honestly, it felt like we had never been away. It was so good.
I must be getting old... because I don’t want to be the ‘smarty pants’ I usually am about my friends this year. Maybe I am appreciating them more? Andrew, in Saudi Arabia, has been working on the massive Metro project, and just moved onto another massive urban development. Our good mate Bernie is ‘working hard’ as he makes the most of retirement. Les is enjoying England’s cricket dominance over New Zealand as he too enjoys retirement, while Norma is much recovered from her ‘argument with a bus,’ becoming more mobile every day.
And no year is complete without my best mate, my ‘good doctor,’ Vishal Srivastava. We’re so looking forward to catching up with him, his wife Yesha, and daughter Anvisha this week. He will be so delighted ‘his’ Ferrari team have performed well in F1, but I’ll keep the cricket bragging rights over his Indian team, the Black Caps beating them in a series for the first time. We’ll catch up too with Sandeep Jaitly, his family and all the staff at the Golden Tulip in the Wilayat of Nizwa.
My ‘Wednesday Weirdos,’ my once weekly social circle at the Houghton Rugby Club continues to entertain, as Mark and Lisa, Steve and Wendy, share their traveller’s tales and much, much more, as we ‘put the world to rights.’ Smithy keeps us entertained, Kitch keeps us informed (he always knows what’s going on!), Emily is now at uni, though soon to grace the stage again. A cast of ‘characters’ pop in and out of our little circle, keeping us entertained, and Josie keeps us wonderfully hydrated. What more could we want?
In looking ahead with anticipation to the next year, I’m hoping that my articles continue to amuse and inform you, that the fish are ‘biting’ on the Al Sharqiyah South Governorate coastline while we’re there, and that my knee replacement operation in February goes according to plan. Looking back, I’m grateful for all we have, while nostalgic for that, and those, we no longer have.
I am so fortunate to have family and friends I can rely on, all around the world, but none more so, of course, than my charming wife Lena... “to the moon and back dear.”
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