Cheers to the New Year

Just in time for a quick post before year end and I am so looking forward to what I hope will be a bright New Year. For me, this year is marked by a sense of loss and change.When I turned 40, I lost my Mother. When I turned 50, I lost my Father. I turned 60 this year and although the losses have not been anywhere near so personal - how could they be - I am sad to be losing such as the world-stage dignity of the Obama's and our country's place in the EU. I'm sorry for the pointless loss of wonderful Jo Cox. Also, for the people of Nice and Berlin - both locations full of happy holiday memories for me. And all year, so sad to see the stream of poor migrants crossing the Med and from the war in Syria - maybe more peaceful times coming there in the New Year?  Now after that vent against the world, I need to add how grateful I am to have enjoyed a successful year in my own mini world of work as well as many super-happy times with dear friends and family. I shall be out later this evening, raising a glass to 2017 with some of my closest friends and I know just how lucky I am. May the New Year be a good one for us all!