What was the hardest personal goal you’ve set for yourself?

You will be forgiven for glazing over today.  Mostly, I like to keep my posts bite-sized  but sometimes it’s impossible. It may be one of those days…

It’s interesting to read the replies to the DP’s. All our thoughts and memories in a big melting pot called living. How will my fellow bloggers define ‘ the hardest personal goal’ ?

Amongst them will be the souls who are just grateful to have survived this far. This I understand.

A few days back, we were asked how we would cope if we lost everything. I failed to mention the time I had walked away from home and a relationship with just the clothes on my back…Tough? Yes..

After a while, struggling to keep my head and dignity above water, I went overseas. I was away for years. When I did come back to the UK, I had a pup and an adult dog in tow. Street dogs I had bonded with and was not going to leave behind. ( Animals, I understand. Humans not so much.)

Luckily, I had managed to accumulate savings, but the flights for Tony and Joe from India. ( BA Cargo were stars) and six months in quarantine ( I believe things have changed since then) didn’t come cheap.

Having been a nanny at the top of my game and the mother of all references under my belt. I was sure it would help. And I had six months to find somewhere for us all to go. Right? I stayed in a small hotel in central London as I believed then it would be easier to go to and from interviews. I’d never be able to take a nanny role again with two dogs, but there were other jobs with tied accommodation I could do.

( I had to stay with my dad and his fourth wife at one point for a while = nightmare and another story which will remain buried.  It was soul-destroying. Totally)

Despite being signed up to some fabulous and not so fabulous agencies ( another story or six) It took a year and the last of my savings to secure something for the dogs and me.

And so it went on forever, it seemed. I could have tugged my forelock and kept my head down and stayed in some jobs longer, but you know how it is.

To be fair, there was one lovely job with an elderly chap. I was gutted when he passed away. But I did get to keep his dog.

The jobs came and went, and I was with a  difficult employer on a farming estate. All the other staff were obedient and had been there years. I simply couldn’t hack it. 

And then it happened a complete fluke combined with stars aligned, and I finally managed to retire with the keys to a lovely rental, in the middle of dog walking nivarna and a  landlady sent from the heavens.

A front door of our own, such a long time coming. Sure, I’ve had to tighten my belt, but things that make me happy cost nothing… Walks in the deepest of nature, birds bathing in the fresh and slightly warmed water I put out for them. Amazing skies, the sunset and sunrises, trees,  smiles, and a few passing words with people on the street. All the dogs in the hood whose names I learn before their  guardians. The changing seasons. Growing things, pottering around.  Writing.  Gratitude.

And then I have Patch. His Nibs 🐾🐾 who lives here rent free, because he can.