You may know I travel a lot to the US, as I really believe that there is a lot to learn in this world from other people and there is no larger concentration of people in one country than the US. I favour the US a lot, they are a great people who have a propensity for fun and they share. Having said that they are not alone and I do occasionally stray, with many visits added in to Finland for family and fun too.

It’s really fun to know more about how to connect with people from different cultures and backgrounds too. To be present and share in their worlds. Good for the heart, good for understanding, good for learning, good for everyone. It’s a two way street, I feel like the UK ambassador often!

As well as meeting new people, one of the real benefits is that the heart gets fonder when you are away and it helps not to take things for granted.

Finley on his scooter

Recently upon my return from a a few hectic weeks of travelling I discovered that my youngest son, Finley could slide the slide and climb the climbing frame himself, he no longer needed assistance. When I saw this, the last time I was home, it really sunk in that I had missed the progress. I was then disarmed by the thought that I had not missed this miracle. That I only noticed it because of the time lapse, the gap between when I took him to the playground last. Certainly the first thing his mum said to me was not “he can climb on his own” it would have passed and it would have been missed, or accepted that progress was being made. It truly was a miracle that I had witnessed and so I realised with this that absence really makes the heart grow fonder.

However, all this travelling has got to be a bit much recently I must admit. Most of the last few years I have basically been travelling on average every six weeks, sometimes just weeks apart, at other times there are months when I don’t travel at all. I have just taken on a commitment that looks like I will have to travel even more often, if I add it to my existing commitments.

This ‘fun’ travelling is starting to look more like a monthly commute.

I don’t think so. I don’t think my sanity, or possibly health will take it, so it is with some trepidation and regret that I am closing the door on a couple of regular groups that I have been a part of in order to save my sanity, and health and it is with regret and sadness that I set free from those connections. I hope to return and I wish them well, I am certain we will not lose touch. They are very understanding.

So I will not see my sons any more or less, as progress is made and I hope to move forward with my business without losing touch with all the contacts that I have made. I wish everyone well, especially those that I don’t see so much in 2011. Her indoors will be pleased!