So long, 2017

I don't usually count a day, a week or a year as good or bad. I usually try to get through the tough stuff and enjoy the good stuff and don't make any grand statements.

2017 saw the introduction of Harry to the household and what a ride he has given us. There has been some fear aggression from him resulting in some expensive training, a few times people have misread him and been rather gung ho, resulting in some scarring around the wrists. There was the day our rabbit dug out of his safe enclosure and was swiftly dispatched in full view of the family. He has also given us so much joy and laughter that we can't imagine what we did before.

I have had more clients this year than before but oddly not seen a single baby born. I have attended long labours and then been excluded as my clients have been whisked to theatre. I have had a client whose baby arrived so quickly she didn't have time to call me and another who said she slept easier after hiring me but had an elective caesarean and didn't feel the need of my attendance. I never even met any of the babies and I can honestly say it doesn't matter, I am happy to be there for the parents and not to distract in any way from their first hours with a new little one.

My church amalgamation resulted in me becoming responsible for the seniors group. I think I have unintentionally broken a lot of expectations but it's me or nobody so they adjust and if you are ever in the business of amalgamating churches, talk to me about some of the things to do or not do!

My oldest son Liam received some bad news which will alter the course of his life more than I would like but it is his life to manage as he sees fit and I can be proud of his maturity and grace in difficult times.

My second son Keaghan completed his undergraduate degree, was accepted for honors, proposed to his sweet, long term girlfriend and started a full time job in a laboratory. I think he will have a lot of average years before he has another to rival this one.

Daughter Briony was devastated when a few days of very badly timed flu prevented her from doing her first placement as a student teacher but  a three week stretch in February will catch her up on that. She also took up indoor rock climbing, fell and dislocated an elbow, avoided end of year exams due to the injury and worked hard at her rehabilitation.

The youngest of them, Caitlin, slogged away on her student budget to pay the damages from a car accident she had as a very new driver. She attended court alone, in a successful bid to reduce the amount of the debt. She has also worked hard at her studies in chiropractic. She has had good results in a demanding course and we didn't see any pre-exam melt downs this year. We continue to have coffee together every week so altogether a character building year for her!

We saw the ridiculously expensive and unnecessary same-sex marriage survey tell parliament what we already knew: it was time. I am very happy that  the first same sex marriages in Australia have now taken place, some of them the official recognition of a lifetime of care between partners who have limited time left.

I'm sure 2018 will bring more challenges, joys, achievements and rough spots. My current client will birth one way or another in the next  ten days, I wonder if i will meet her wee miss?

L-R back Liam & Catherine, Keaghan & Liz,  Caitlin & Brendan
L-R front Briony, Kylie, Kent