It’s taken me all year…

Sitting here in a quiet house in the early morning, with the dishwasher on overdrive and left over trifle calling me from the fridge, I noticed how beautiful one of my orchids is looking and how it has literally taken it all year to get to this peak of flower perfection.

It reminded me that it’s traditional after Christmas to look back upon the year that’s nearly gone, so I’ve been thinking back through 2017.

We had some significant family birthdays, mine, a 21 and a 16. Barry and I celebrated the 7th anniversary of acceptance of our fate (aka marriage) and everyone enjoys health, happiness and fulfilment. It’s all good on the family front.

Looking back at my working year is a different story. I get to a day in early February and my mind is completely blown. In a traditional Sci-Fi storyboard, my life’s timeline branches off in a completely different direction, rendering the anticipated path obsolete and sending my career universe along an uncharted course of exploration.

The thing about being an SBM is that as you’re flying at warp 10 through the stars you accept what is happening and deal with it. It’s only when you look back that you realise how far you’ve come and you’re amazed you are still standing!

So how come I’m still standing?

1. Incredible, supportive work colleagues. Most of the time they have been unaware of what is unfolding but they are always there with a smile, a coffee and a great deal of hard work on their part.
2. Amazing supportive SLT. This year especially I have been aware of a firm foundation on which to build and the understanding that each one of us has the collective back.
3. Engaged, supportive Governors. When a Governor takes a moment out of his working day to call you and let you know that he is there, you know that you can handle whatever comes your way.
4. A hugely supportive SBM network. There are so many SBMs out there, some in the same boat, some in a different one, but all willing to share, listen and laugh when things get tough. My SBM sphere has grown exponentially this year and I can’t now imagine life without them.
5. This blog. Without a doubt it has kept me laughing – mostly at myself and the situations I find myself in. The learning curve has been vertical (and there is still a lot of learning to do) but it has opened a window outside my usual realm of existence with new friends and new points of view.

So 2017. You’ve been incredibly hard work. You’ve thrown more at me this year than I ever thought a reasonable person might handle but, at the same time, you have maintained my support structures of family, friends and colleagues to enable me to keep moving forward, learn and grow.

I want to thank everyone that has been part of it and I hope that, when you look back on your year, you’ll count me as being one that has been there for you too.

I wish everyone a very Happy New Year 2018.

Bring it on.