Loving the Weston life we’re living (written September 2010)

‘I couldn’t want anything more for my children’ my husband said yesterday evening whilst watching our three year old splashing in the high tide on Weston sea front. I understood what he was thinking. Free fun and fresh air shared with new friends. Just then there was no other place on earth I think either of us would have wanted to be.

The work nearing completion on the Weston sea defences has resulted in a new, beautiful, wide, paved walkway running along the sea front, complemented with elegant stone seating. It was the first time we'd been down to the sea front for a while and I was impressed with what I saw. I sat on one of the stone seats to feed the baby. Next to me a woman was putting on roller blades. A number of joggers passed me along with individual and family groups of cyclists and walkers of all ages. A couple of guys were throwing and catching a rugby ball on the beach. Children were squealing with delight and running in and out of the sea. Dogs were chasing balls on the sand and in the distance the kites of kite boarders could be seen at the south end of the beach. A little boat bobbed on the sea as the sun began to set. So many people were out enjoying such a beautiful evening in a place we are proud to call home.

I think most of my life I have been waiting. Waiting until I’ve passed exams, finished my education, got a job, got somewhere to live, found Mr. Right (salsa classes is where I found him in case you are wondering). Now I have small children I don’t want to wait any more. Waiting for them to walk or talk or start school. I’m enjoying living now. I’m sure most people would like more money or job security or time amongst other things, but yesterday evening reminded me that in the midst of the busyness, worries and frustrations of daily life there is much joy to be had in the small things. A three year olds fascination with a woodlouse discovered whilst blackberry picking in Worlebury Woods, a messy kitchen but home-made gingerbread men, picking and eating home grown cherry tomatoes, my daughters face when she mastered the fireman’s pole by herself in the park and the pleasure of feeling the evening sun on my face whilst watching my daughter have the time of her life on the beach.