Once again, I can’t point to ground-breaking news or enviable achievements: We’re fine, the kids are fine. Andrew and I have all our teeth; the kids less so.
We had a year to weave stray twine and twigs into our family story. Wonderful memories to us, such as Alex on the beach at Lyme Regis, filled with the unbridled joy of an 8 year old boy experiencing his first dramatic coastal storm, yelling “WELL DONE, WAVES” at the sea. The four of us on Halloween night, snuggled under duvets in garden chairs at Dorogaya (my parents’ home in Normandy) and staring at the stars. Another I keep close to my heart is spinning out a bedtime story with Emily whispering sleepily “you’re taking me into a wonderland”.
We shared some fabulous travels over the course of the year, and perhaps best of all a magical trip to Amsterdam. I include the only documentary evidence of the four of us from 2012 taken by a passing skater on a frozen canal. Note the tragic sartorial misstep that IS that beret when I don’t wear it at the proper angle. Note too, that Emily hadn’t wiped that frown off her face for 48 hrs due to the cold. Added to Plan Amsterdam were crackling fires with my parents at Dorogaya, two weeks by a pool in Spain, theatre outings in London, cheering Andrew on at the Royal Parks ½ marathon, outdoor food festivals, bike rides—mostly anodyne “you had to be there” sorts of things but moments we treasure none the less.
The kids didn’t break any world records but they learned to try things they hadn’t imagined they might be good at. Emily’s long legs are made for running hurdles. She draws beautiful peacock feathers and has a kooky sense of style (ref her mother’s headgear???) Alex can play off-key on his electric keyboard for hours, fix most of my IT issues and make pancake batter from scratch.
Outside of work hours, Andrew continues to work his socks off volunteering for the kids’ school, singing at church, and cooking for friends and neighbours. He is patient, resourceful, calm, soothing where I am neurotic, anxious, and short-fused.
You know when Maria von Trapp looks mistily off camera and sings “…somewhere in my youth, or childhood [chorus: OOORRR CHILDHOOOD] I must have done something good”, then leans into Captain von Trapp’s arms and continues “for here you are, standing there, loving me”? It’s kinda not like that at all. Instead of Salzburg, I’m in our kitchen in Chiswick wondering how in blazes I got so lucky?? Not that we’ve converted our interlined draperies into matching lederhosen but picture this: After shooing me out of the house last summer and onto my bike so that I could re-boot along the Thames, I was welcomed home with the word “better?” and handed a cool drink. Or recently when I was chilled to the bone waiting for the 94, he collected me at that bus stop in our toasty car. 10 years on and Andrew still doesn’t do the hearts and flowers but, jeez-o-flip, does he blindside me with impeccable timing.
I have continued to consult for Bonhams and finally completed my book on Russian Decorative Arts. The snappy title is “Russian Decorative Arts” and is due out this Spring 2013; available near you on Amazon pre-order. This to explain much of my tantruming over parts of this year as various deadlines loomed.
Tomorrow, practically on the eve of Christmas, we set out to Rugby to attend the Christening of our newest little cousin, Clara. They tell us it will be a small celebration for family and friends; a moment to remind us of how precious life is and how much we have to be thankful for. Then on the 24th, we will go to a crib service at St. Michael and All Angels and hear Alex in their junior choir. Nadine and Fred have arrived from Paris loaded down with delicacies. Having my parents and my brother Eric around the table on Christmas Eve, to be joined by my in-laws on the 25th, will bring huge joy (as well as lashings of washing up).
May you have someone in mind to kiss under the mistletoe but most importantly, your own reasons to celebrate the end of 2012 and the dawn of a New Year. I know we all say we are “SO over” making resolutions but who doesn’t look forward to a fresh start?
