Best thing about this year?

A year ago today I became 'un-partnered'.  I could tell you about it being the hardest year of my life as I’ve come to terms with the reality of it all and I could also admit it’s been the saddest one as I’ve grieved the loss of my ‘happily ever after’. It may  even qualify as the most mortifying one, as I sat in an office during High School orientation evening in my Gucci sunglasses, and was told that my child qualified for the summer sport programme because he was currently considered to be a child from a deprived background.  I could even tell you it’s been the year with the most pride having being swallowed, as I’ve sat as the least pierced and tattooed person in the benefits office.   However, seeing as I’m a ‘glass is half-full’ kind of girl I will tell you about it being a different kind of year.

 Here are some of the main events.  I organised my own car insurance.  It’s a minefield...I had no idea! Completely surprised myself when I was able to install and get my wireless router working. Ok, it was a case of trial and error for a few hours but got there by midnight.   Drained and fixed the filter problem on my washing machine...thanks U-tube!  Learned to knit again....please don’t ever ‘un-partner’ me U-tube.  Secured my own personal bank manager called Lucy and have her on speed dial.  I’m paying those bank charges, may as well get my money’s worth.   I took the kids away on a holiday, which included a momentous six hour car trip, and lived to tell the tale.  Secured a solicitor and filed for divorce, now there’s something that no Disney princess has had to do!  Not only survived Christmas but actually enjoyed it.  What do you know?  Santa exists. I got gifts in my stocking...and not a red negligee in sight!  Amicably split the 20 year CD and DVD collection that had stockpiled. Didn’t even have to threaten that no ‘Air Supply’ music was leaving the premises!  The ‘Top Gun’ movie could have tipped the balance but pleased to say that Tom is still on my shelf.   I’ve joined a support group and yes it’s just like the movies.  Lots of tea and coffee is consumed and people sit round in a circle and say, hi, my name is ____.  I’ve started doing something that I’ve wanted to do but put off for a very long time, write.  Okay, it’s not a full blown novel or column in a newspaper but hey, you’re reading it!   Very recently I managed to wheedle a brand new blackberry handset and charger out of Orange despite having no insurance, high five on that one! 

 I’m not telling you all these things so that you’ll applaud or feel sorry for me, it’s more a case of I’ve survived!  Best thing about this year?  I realized that I wasn’t alone. Thank you God, my family and my friends.