How is it nearly Christmas 2016??!!  Where has the time gone?  I know I say this every year, but every year truly does seem to go by faster than the last.  Apparently my parents weren’t kidding.  The older you get, the faster life goes.

It’s been a year of change for me and at times seemed to drag, so I am quite surprised to find myself nearly at the end of it all, only to start another round next year of course.

I started this year still heartbroken and in the middle of marathon training.  At the peak of my training I began dating and was retrenched from my long-hated job.  The first half of the year was capped off with completing my first ever marathon and a much deserved holiday in China afterwards.

Upon my return home I began dating again.  I struggled though the time marking the year since “he” left and turned my world upside down.  It was tough.  I still have my rough days even now but mostly they are gone.

In August I had my arm twisted to run another marathon.  How could I say “no” to the following statement:  How often will you get the chance to run for your country, in your home town?  Who was I to argue with that?  Hand over the green and gold thanks!

So I did it.  I ran another marathon.  Two in one year.  Do you hear that screaming?  Me too!  MID LIFE CRISIS!!!   A forty-something, cat-owning, marathon-running, unemployed, single-but-dating female.

Classic.

And to top it off, the world around me has seemingly gone mad.  Donald Trump is going to be the president of the USA.  New Zealand (and now Japan) are being flattened by earth quakes.  My mum went to the physio for the first time AND got a  new mobile phone.  And count them, seven, SEVEN couples I have known for many years are splitting up.

Is it wrong for me to feel lucky to finally feel happy in myself?  Happy I don’t have to feel  the feelings of sadness, anger, anxiety, grief and hopelessness that these once happy couples are now facing?  I hope not.  I actually am glad to be over that stage for not just the obvious reasons but so that I am in a place where I feel I can support any of these friends if they need me to.  I’m pretty much back to my “rock” status.

The calm, self-assured, independent and confident (observed by others but I’m really faking it ’til I make it with that one) lady I once was.  Go me!

Unfortunately, the only smudge on the horizon is that I will need to get another job next year as I haven’t won lotto.  And the mortgage needs paying so the cat has somewhere to live.  Thankfully I feel I can face that challenge when it arrives now.

So I have a month until I head off for the silly season holidays, there’s Christmas presents to find and buy, a birthday or two as well, and plans to make for next year.  But I’m not stressing about any of it.  I am going to enjoy this Christmas with my family and friends.  Life will go on whether I worry about it or not.  So 2017 can wait.

Bring on Christmas (and the mistletoe!)!!

ps  If you have any gift ideas please leave in the comments below  😉