All These Things I've Done

The Watson family has ended 2014 in a much better place and much stronger than when we began the year.  In fact I am really proud of how we have grown in the face of adversity and tragedy over the past 4 and half years – even if I do say so myself.  Caroline would be truly proud of us.

Mrs Watson's family is looking good!

There’s no doubt that none of this could have been achieved without the continued support from family, friends and from people we have never met.

Each year I have set myself some goals just to give me an insight on far we have travelled and to provide some sort of vision for us even if the outlook has been very blurred.  Below is a review of 2014 goals:

Family

1.  Continue to support Joe in his studies and ensure he gets settled in the student flat for next year

Supporting Joe while he is so far away in Falmouth is not always easy and could always be better.  However, he has certainly matured through the first year of his film degree.  I really cannot wait to see the documentary he recently produced and edited.  Joe has settled into his student flat – we won’t talk about the cleanliness as this is a constant debate between us.  A real pleasure to be with him over the New Year period (7/10)

2.  Continue to support Georgina in her studies

Georgina has really matured and grown in confidence in 2014.  Georgina is now much more independent and has an excellent partner in Matt.  Georgina has now moved into a rented house in Emmersons Green, Bristol.  Georgina has been a big help to me in 2014.  Georgina is achieving high marks in her Psychology Degree (8/10)

Me

3.  Move house

The move from our home just turned into an ongoing saga.  To cut a year long story short my house is now under offer going through the usual financial and legal processes.  Similarly I have made an accepted offer on an apartment in Clifton which again is going through similar due diligence processes.  The anticipated date of the move is now the end of January and will mark a significant milestone on my own journey (6/10)

4.  Re-address work – life balance

This target has been a bit of a washout.  As I am now working for myself I feel a compulsion to say “yes” to almost everything through the fear of not knowing where the next contract is coming from.  The reality is that I need to believe in myself and find alternate ways of getting work done.  Oh and chill a bit.  I have to get this right.  Having said that I have managed to have some quality time off during the year especially to celebrate my 50^th. (4/10)

5.  Celebrate my 50^th birthday

For years I have been dreading becoming 50, even well before Caroline’s passing.  The thought of Caroline not being at my side made 50 even more daunting.  Well I need not have worried.  Thanks to my family and friends coming out in large numbers I had the most fantastic time:  Dublin, Cardiff, Bristol, Madrid, London and Paris in the space of six weeks.  Not too bad.   I felt very humbled that so many people came out to celebrate my birthday.  Certainly lifted my spirits.  50 is definitely the new 40!  
(10/10)

6.  Look after my health more responsibly

Well I only dabbled at this one:  started to detox but only lasted one and half days; started the 5 and 2 diet which lasted a few weeks before giving in to the tiredness due to living off 600 calories; additionally my liking for gin has become very widely known – four bottles of gin for Christmas.  Having said all of this   I did manage to run a few times per week.  Could do better – extra training required (4/10)

7.  Raise £500 for St Peter’s Hospice

Managed to raise around £300 in sponsorships; donating clothing and household items to their shops as part of my downsizing activity; plus I bought my Christmas cards from them.  I was also asked to tell my story as part of St Peter’s advertising campaign which is both online and being played in local schools and churches.  If my story helps one other person then it would have been worthwhile.  (9/10)

 

Work

8.   Freelancing has to payback in 2014

Working for myself has really gone well this year especially in the second half.  Being able to help small and medium sized businesses to grow is immensely fulfilling.  I also have some flexibility in my working patterns.  Now I need to get the balance right  (8/10)   

                                                                                                        Total    56/80 Achieved

Joint 50th Celebration in Madrid

Overall, I have really had a lot of fun and find myself with a huge amount of energy.  Life will never be the same or as fulfilled with such a void in my life.  The most important aspect I need to keep remembering is that when I look around me there is only great family and great friends.

If 2014 was the year of change 2015 is one of building on our successes and have some fun

Family

1.  Continue to support Joe with his studies especially as he will be starting his final year from September 2015.  I also need to help Joe find a job, preferably in the media industry

2. Support Georgina in her studies.  Also help find Georgina more permanent accommodation.

Me

3.  Move into my new home as quickly as possible

Dad's 75th Birthday

4.  Tick off another entry on my bucket list:  watch England v West Indies play cricket in the Caribbean

5.  Look after my health.  Being 50 has been a bit of a novelty.  On April 14th I will be 51 – it is real.  The first thing to address is my sleeping pattern:  simply put go to bed earlier!

6.  Run Bristol 10k – try to beat last year’s time and raise money for St Peter’s Hospice

7.  Not spend Christmas and New Year on my “own”.

Work

8.  Build on 2014 momentum but not at the expense of my own personal life

I am looking forward to 2015 with a great deal to do and achieve.  The journey continues and there is some clear road ahead.  As I have said many times before I just want Caroline to be proud of her family.