Trying to sum up 2021 is tricky. In a word, mixed. A year of lockdowns, DIY decorating, some venturing out there and an overwhelming feeling of being seriously blessed.
In spite of Covid-19 we have done quite a lot in 2021. Rather than laboriously list everything that went well and the tedium of what didn’t, here’s a few overarching thoughts.
We have spent (what seems like) quite a lot of money on the house, the Quirky Museum. I have also spent a lot of time with a screwdriver, or perhaps a paint brush in my hand which is hardly surprising as I have come to know the staff at the local paint supplier. Actually I have quite enjoyed it. My DIY mojo has come back and I’m pleased about that because had lost confidence in my DIY abilities back at our old house, but that’s another story.
All this DIY does make me feel more at home. We didn’t really plan to move here and I certainly wouldn’t have bought the house on the open market. I guess that applies to many people who inherit the family pile but as we gradually put our stamp on it and build up our own memories here, I think I’ll come to love this place. We certainly like the village.
Church is another area which has me thinking a lot. We have settled on a hybrid arrangement where we still attend our old church from time to time and also support the village Anglican Church as well. To be honest, it’s a bit of a fudge but it does seem to be the best solution for now. An over-riding thought is to support the local church here in the village. The church has been here for centuries, through thick and thin. It is the Christian focal point for many people who have little or no regard for the “church” but is always there when they need to reach out.
I have been encouraged by the welcome in the village church. We are taken seriously and they are keen to use us in anyway they can, so we are happy to play our part and it will be interesting to see where this leads.
I often blog about my health; different aches and pains, the latest kidney tests and so on. I think I’ll skip that for now since I have a post brewing in my mind about what it feels like now I have reached 60.
Twenty twenty one has been a challenging year for almost every community across the entire world. We have had our challenges too having started the year by arranging the funeral for Rachel’s mum, quite a surreal, cold time with strict lockdown restrictions. However, on balance I believe it has been a pretty good year.
Older, aspiring to be a little wiser, our retirement funds are holding out and I have an increasing sense of contentment. I continuously believe the best is yet to come. I have to believe this as, with my faith, it keeps me going.
Twenty twenty two? I’m really looking forward to it gradually unfolding!