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Isn’t it strange we think as we get older we have life all planned out for our retirement.
I am not actually sure what I had planned but I am sure things have turned out differently to what I may have imagined twenty years ago.
I think life is actually much busier and we tend to take on more challenges as we get older. When we are in our forties we think we have all the time in the world to make things happen. In actual fact the years seem to fly by nowadays, and we seem to be trying to fit in everything we can before we are past our ‘use by’ date.
After working on about five films and writing three children’s books I thought things would slow down and I would actually have time to potter in the garden, bake and read a few books. This is not how it’s panned out at all.
My five year old grandson, who is off to ‘big boy’ school next year, has been my constant companion for the last five years and I have always had him by my side while I have been writing, shopping and generally being busy. It’s been brilliant, and the thought of him leaving the nest to go off to school next year makes me teary eyed. I know how lucky I have been to have had him around. We have had a few interesting times and a few disasters to clean up but all-in-all he has been a joy to have around. Hopefully I have brought something extra to his little life as well. My husband and I drop him off at pre-school every Wednesday and Thursday and we are always so pleased to pick him up at three o’clock. Generally Nanny has a little treat for him and he just loves that.
Hugo has even tried to teach me how to play ‘Minecraft’ and other PlayStation games. I think he now realizes Nanny is pretty useless at stuff like that and is content for me to just watch him. Honestly I am amazed at how advanced young children are today with modern technology. My husband and I are useless and tend to bluff our way through.
Not that I will be slowing down once Hugo starts school either. My latest project is organizing an opera concert for next February in Auckland. Last year while we were in Lucca, Italy we met a charming young Italian man who has set up a lovely little opera company in an old deconsecrated church. He was riding his bicycle past our apartment and stopped for a chat and then invited us along to a concert. My husband and I were blown away not just with the talent but with the beauty of this wonderful old church. The frescos were just so beautiful, from the outside it looked so run down but on walking inside I almost burst into tears. Since coming home my husband and I have kept in contact and things developed from there and suddenly I am organizing this great event. Next year they will be holding three fundraising concerts in Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide before coming on to Auckland. The reason for the fundraising concert is to foster Australian and New Zealand talent by offering them a place at the LuccaOPERAfestival. This is a unique opportunity for young people to have tuition by the masters in Italy and experience the real magic of Italian opera. I am delighted to be involved in this and supporting young New Zealand talent would be just wonderful. Lucca is such a pretty little town and I am so looking forward to returning there next year with all my family. My husband and I are keen to travel there as often as we can for as long as we are able. Long haul flights are not appealing but the thought of not being able to go back to this enchanting city outweighs the discomfort. I am sure a lot of Grownups readers have visited Tuscany and can relate to how beautiful it really is. Time seems to have stood still in so many ways. The cobble streets wind their way around the towns and cities and the lovely old 14th century buildings are really quite beautiful. When we go to Lucca I feel totally relaxed. I can be as busy or as lazy as I wish. There is plenty to do but I have to admit I love sitting in a little sidewalk café eating a gelato. I am such a people watcher and it’s so interesting just sitting there watching tourists and locals alike wandering around soaking up the atmosphere.
I am in heaven when I am there, I just wish New Zealand wasn’t on the other side of the world and we could make regular visits. But I am so lucky to have had the opportunity to do the things I love. Life is good.
I hope whatever your plans are for the festive season you all have a wonderful time with loved ones and friends and I hope the New Year is good to you all.
- 9 years ago
Lucca, Italy