As I look back over 2010, there is so much to remember. I do remember that as we entered the year, I told myself that is would be MY year. My tunnel had been long and dark. That was all going to change and indeed it did. I knew there would be challenges and I wasn't wrong. I struggled to rebuild my business and was criticised for it! Financially I had been devastated! However, whilst money is a necessity - it hasn't been my god! People are far more important to me! I have "met" some wonderful people this year both on line and off. As I fought off challenge after challenge during the first half of the year, I was supported by some terrific friends.On March 15th, I was blessed with a beautiful new grandchild, sister to the twins. Sadly I was then challenged in the difficult task of supporting my three beautiful children, Toby, Natasha, and Tristan as they came to terms with their fathers death (aged 60) on April 15th. I could support them but could not relate to their feelings of loss as my own father was still alive aged 89! When he died 8 weeks later on June 15th - I didn't actually feel sadness! He had been a well man for most of his life - never taking a days sick leave from work (what an achievement!) Through my unfortunate financial circumstances, I had moved in with my parents and although some might see this as a negative situation, it meant I had some very special moments with my dad as his health failed. Moments that are so very special to me and worth sooooo much. There was a lot of laughter. Like the time I struggled to take him to my Rotary meeting. He had been a Rotarian for so many years and I was really glad when he introduced me to Rotary. Our Rotary club celebrates its 10th birthday in June - shame daddy won't be there in body but I know he will in spirit! I drive a van and it was parked on the slope in the drive! I put a small footstool to help dad get in. This would have been fine but he put his hand on the seat to help himself and his wrist gave way and he catapulted into the well of the van where his rather portly figure stuck fast!!!
You had to be there!!! Typically, my daddy didn't get cross! I used the principles of science he had struggled to teach me and tried to use gravity to aid us - turning the van round but he remained stuck. After much prodding and poking (and laughing - not just me but him - and this was at 7 am in the morning) finally he wriggled free! That had to be one of the best excuses for ever being late for Rotary!!
After a busy day at the Gaffers event in Yarmouth, on 4th June, I went hot foot to the hospital as my dad had been having a funny turn! My brother had been there for hours, calming him down. I got there to find he had been throwing things across the ward - so untypical of my dad (and very worrying for me!) I have since been told this was lack of oxygen to the brain. I stayed for a while and then said my goodbyes (and to be honest, at the time I thought it was my final goodbye) and then left to make preparations to travel to the mainland for my grandaughters christening and a weeks work in Milton Keynes. How pleased did I feel then when my dad waited for me to return on the Monday (10 days later) to say the final goodbye! He had waited for me to get back and left us very quietly on Tuesday morning! It was a much nicer memory than it would have been from the previous visit.
We had a wonderful celebration of his life, with my siblings and I all making tribute speeches! Well it had to be done as he taught us public speaking - couldn't let him down could we? It was a wonderful day , with many memories shared of a fantastic 89 years. We even had a video made and have enjoyed the ceremony again and again as it was such a joyous occasion. I must show you the jewellery my sons partner made for me for the occasion. My dad loved liquorice allsorts and also had a thing about my earrings so allsorts earrings and bracelet it had to be! And of course the floral tribute had to be in keeping!
(photo by Graham Reading of
Graham Reading Photography
As I said earlier, I don't feel sad. People were so kind and said such lovely things about my dad. I had the most wonderful out pouring of love from my facebook friends far and near and will always treasure the card sent to me from Lynden - a facebook friend from Australia. The words were magical! Most of these people had never even met my dad.
The amazing thing is, far from being sad, I feel that as he left us for a better place, he flicked a switch that made things better for me. I still believed it was my year and it improved as the year moved on. There were still challenges and there always will be but far from being the stupid person that my critiques had said I was, earlier in the year, I went on to win the Best Sales Woman of the Year at the
Mumpreneur Awards.
Funny that - so many entrepreneurs make it to the top because they combine multiple businesses. Yet that is why I was told I was stupid. Not only that but I was criticised for the banter I put on facebook. Well that banter has made my world and that of many of my facebook friends a much happier place! It has even brought new team members to my different businesses! What a silly billy he was - so glad I didn't take his advice!!
Winning that award has connected me with lots more people and I am delighted to say it will improve the lives of many not just give me a much needed boost! As a result of the publicity I got, I have now used it to set up a network group for the small businesses running on the Isle of Wight. Wightbuzz is starting to get the Island Buzzing and we have our first meeting on Tuesday. Much is planned to ensure our survival. Membership numbers are growing - it is all looking good (and I only set it up a month ago!) There is a
Wightbuzz facebook fan page, a
Wightbuzz Blog on Blogger and now
Wightbuzz over at Wordpress where I will be adding members details -and who knows what else will develop.
Back in Septemeber, I also celebrated a BIG birthday when there was 4 days of celebrating, including flying to Manchester to spend time with my boys Toby and Tristan. Yes I bought them flybe planes of their own! They had been deprived when they were younger so made it up to them this year!!! tee hee!
I saw my two older grandaughters and then my younger grandaughters and my daughter joined me for the celebrations on the Isle of Wight.
Lots of friends helped me celebrate too.
I attended the launch of
Maggie Curries's Book "
What you believe, creates your reality" A great evening and I can highly recommend to book. ( which I finally read on my cruise in October!)
There was lots of positive things going on through the Autumn and I have just spent Christmas day and New years eve with friends and I have had the best time in years. Many recent Christmasses and New Years have not been the happiest times of my life. I'm not sure my escapade on the Wii just dance were caught on video so don't think I'll make it to you tube!
I have shed most of the negative people in my life and spent much time on personal development and growing my own positivity by following and connecting with very positive people.
Giant Potential has also played a large part in my life this year too. Roberta Jerram, creator of Giant Potential, made me an administrator long before she met me! She facebooked the world with the news of my award even before I got to the stage! Her idea was to connect like minded women in business and I have met many of my Giant Poetential friends too including one of my new bestest friends Paula!!! It was through GP that I found
Wikaniko when I read Paula's post and signed up. We have shared a lot of fun this year and look forward to much more.
My goals are set and I have no doubt that that this will be MY year! Pop back often and you will be able to see if I am on track
Natalie King, a pampered chef consultant treated us to a demonstration and allowed us to eat the scrummy salad afterwards! We all had a turn to help her with the recipe and a lot of fun was had by all!
