The first step, my son, which one makes in the world, is the one on which depends the rest of our days - Voltaire

I'd had a rather challenging time at work yesterday and by the time I got home I was exhausted. As I sat down on the sofa with a welcome cup of tea, my daughter looked up from marking a pile of exercise books and asked if my son had told me about Northampton - he hadn't. Her face was serious and I felt a jolt of dread inside me as I asked if he'd heard about his university interview. My daughter told me that he had, then it seemed as if time stood still as I waited for her to tell me more. Then suddenly she was speaking again and her words "he got an offer" echoed inside my head.

I was so pleased for my son. Of course it is only the first step, now he has to work hard and get the required grades as well as getting as much classroom experience as he can in the next few months. Where did all those years go, it doesn't seem possible that my son can be making plans to go to university! It makes me feel very old, but I am very proud of him.

Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire - William Butler Yeats

The other day I was looking back at old pieces of writing and I found a one day diary for 17th October 2006, I wrote it for a writing project that I was involved in. There was a paragraph about our chaotic morning routine

"Then my day kicked into a higher gear.  I had just five minutes to shower and vacate the bathroom.  I would love to wallow in the warm water, but time demands otherwise.  At 7am I wake my three children aged 17, 15 and 11, after a lull for a few minutes while they wake up suddenly there is chaos.  Everyone wants the bathroom at the same time, someone needs a button sewn on, daughter wants me to sign a slip for school, son can’t find an exercise book, older daughter wants money for a music book. Where have all the socks gone? Why hasn’t my rugby shirt been washed? The demands continue, son get sent back to do his teeth properly and at 7.55, only 5 minutes late, I leave with son packed into the passenger seat."

The diary went on to record the rest of the day, it seemed as if I spent my whole day rushing around trying to do my best for everyone and to somehow fit everything around my work. It still feels like that sometimes, but I think things are a little bit easier now - or at least the stresses are different! 

Camera Shy - (centre) look at those heels!

On Thursday I went to daughter number two's graduation, the 15 year old from the diary entry is now 21 and, just like her older sister she has worked very hard and done extremely well with her education. I feel very proud of both of them, not just because of their academic achievements but because they are hard workers and they have become capable and sensible young women.   I was so proud to be present at my daughter's graduation on Thursday and I wish her every success at Leicester University next year.

Where have all the years gone?

I can remember exactly what I was doing 21 years ago yesterday, I was giving birth to my daughter. I remember it vividly because my husband complained that he couldn't cope with the labour because his chair was uncomfortable - I would willingly have swapped places!! I didn't realise at the time that our second daughter was born on the anniversary of the queen's coronation, I was more concerned that she would be young in her year when she went to school (which has not caused her any problems). Having a birthday in early June has was a good thing because it coincided with half term and we were always on holiday in Cornwall for her birthday. We have some very special memories of beech birthdays and trips to the pony centre to see her favourite pony Munchkin. 


The first time that I realised that there was a connection with the queen was in 2002 when the queen celebrated her golden jubilee. We were in Cornwall and we had a wonderful view of the beacon that was lit a Trevose Head, there was a firework display too. This time my daughter went to London on the day before her birthday to celebrate with her friend and to enjoy some of the excitement of the jubilee celebrations. I think she rather likes sharing her special day with the queen.


Significant anniversaries always leave me wondering where all the time has gone. How can my little girl be 21? it doesn't seem possible. I have so many happy memories (and embarrassing photos) of those growing up years and I am very proud of the young woman she has become. On the subject of embarrassing photos, there are a couple of me dressed as Britannia for the queen's silver jubilee, where has the time gone. I expect the queen asks herself the same question when she looks back on her long reign. It can't be easy to live your life in the spotlight with people feeling that they have the right to criticise and comment on every aspect of her life. We may not have a perfect system, but when I look around and see what other countries have instead, I am glad that we have a monarchy.