8 Years...

Is a very long time!! Last year I wrote about my 7-year itch and I can't believe that a whole year has passed since then, let alone 8 since the day I was married to Jacques...

As with most days like these, I try my best to remember the happy times that Jacques and I shared together. We had a really great time together, it was just cut way too short. I was blessed to have had the wonderful, kind, compassionate husband that I did have and we share a beautiful child, so a very special part of Jacques will always be with me. I never dreamed that being a parent would be such a wonderful, rewarding (and yes, very exhausting) journey. I never imagined that I'd have to do it without Jake's dad...

After Jacques died, I went for counselling. I saw a woman called Mary for just over a year and I don't think that I could've dealt with all that I've had to without her guidance. It was really good for me to get some very level headed advice from someone who was uninvolved. I saw Mary every week for a full year and she got me through some tough times. One of the best bits of advice that Mary ever gave me was that I could choose, that I could choose to be happy, or choose to be sad. There have been plenty of days when it would've been easier to just be sad, but I've made a very conscious decision to be happy. Sometimes it takes a lot of effort, but I think generally I get it right a lot of the time. I do my very best to make a happy life for Jake and I and we have tons of fun together. I also manage to get out and enjoy life with my friends a lot - I have some truly wonderful friends.

Thanks to all of you who have touched my life and have helped me enjoy the last couple of years - you guys are the greatest, where would I be without you? And wine of course. And chocolate...

So, today is going to be a happy day. The sun is shining, it's hot, I have a gorgeous little man to spend my afternoon with (might be going to see a movie), I'm going out to dinner with the girls tonight, I have chocolate and wine - what more could I ask for?? Am I sad about the past? Certain parts of it, most certainly. Am I excited about the future? You betcha baby! Besides, who could possibly be miserable on a day like today when you have this little boy to share it with??

Lots of Love, Sue xxx

PS. Please spare a thought for my dad this morning. He's having some scar tissue removed from his good eye at this very moment.

PPS. Congratulations to Caroline and Craig on the arrival of baby Niña May, born this morning at 9:39, weighing 3.22kgs! Glad to hear that you're all doing OK, I can't wait to meet the new princess! And we want photos. Soon! Congrats to little Amy too on becoming a big sister - it's a fun job!!