I’m unsure how August arrived so quickly this year. They say time flies when you are having fun and also that time goes faster as you get older. Perhaps both are true. I have found that this year has been my quickest yet. Maybe because there has been a lot going on, the days are full of ‘to do’ lists and action points being ticked off. As you know, I love my lists and note books so I have been in my element keeping these items up to date, however, the amount of times I have carried forward items from one day to the next, into the next week and sometimes the next month, is unreal.

As you may know, this Summer we have experienced at least five heatwave periods in the UK and I have loved every single one. Until last weekend I haven’t worn even a cardigan since mid May the weather has been so wonderful. It’s like being abroad, waking up every morning to the blue sky and the sunshine. Hardly a drop of rain which meant not much gardening to do as for once the weeds were not growing. I know we need the rain badly and thankfully over the last week we have had some heavy rain fall but probably not enough. One Saturday evening, himself and I actually sat outside with a drink and realised it was the first time over the whole Summer that we had taken time out to sit, enjoy the weather and just rest. We have spent almost every weekend working on jobs that needed to be done, decorating and tackling his well overgrown garden. It was lovely to just sit back and chat about our plans for the house, the garden, my music, his career and of course going back to Sorrento to get married. It’s a whole new era coming up. I’m excited but I also know it’s going to be a wrench for me to leave where I have spent 38 years living, 31 of those years with my parents. Time moves on and so must we.

Life changes so much and can change so quickly. Sometimes these changes are unwanted. I remember being made redundant from a job I loved and thinking I’d never get another job like that. However, being forced to find a new job, meet new people and gain more experience was one of the best things that happened to me. Other changes like the loss of your loved ones are never wanted. The indescrible pain of loss and heartache and you feel you will never smile again or enjoy any part of life again. In time you start to return to living and I always had a strong sense that my parents would want me to enjoy every day I’m given and of course, they live on in me.

It’s of course sad to realise that had we not lost our parents, we wouldn’t be doing what we are doing now. Making a life together as other couples do. Getting married, following a few dreams. Things we couldn’t do years ago and that’s fine, our parents were our priority then. It’s our time now and we’ll do everything we can to embrace the time ahead, be happy and live a good life. The waves of grief still hit us and I’ve had some moments of tears because I’m sad my parents and my sister are not physically with me to be part of our wedding. I do feel their presence around me and that’s a huge comfort. I’m sure they’ll be with me on the day. They would think it very me to be counting down the days…

With love and sparkles xxx