Nine years on - a letter to Steve

In the past, I have written a letter to Steve on an imortant anniversary...his birthday; the day he died; the day of his funeral; our wedding anniversary. This year, I'm late. Did you think I's forgotten? Sorry. The only significance of today's date is that it's the last day of 2025 - and some nine years and nine months since everyone came together to celebrate your life and say a final goodbye. The fact is, its been one of those years: exciting, but unpredictable and at times challenging... Actually, 2025 began really well with a memorable first visit to India for me; an equally memorable trip to the Far East (Singapore and Japan) with our son Jack, daughter-in-law Laura and four and a half month old grandson Joshua, with me providing a bit of extra support with baby sitting and using my long haul travel experience. In April another first visit, this time to Malta with a photography friend, then on to the sister island of Gozo for a creative experience, learning how to produce hand made photography books. I was on the go again late May-late July, embracing my inner teenager as I travelled around Europe on and off for two months with my InterRail pass and camera, visiting Denmark, Germany, Czech Republic, Austria and Sloveneia. In August, I returned to Iceland on another photography tour, this time to the Southern Highlands - an area only accessible for a few months in the summer when the snow melts. So...all very exciting, with lots of travel and photography, interspersed with with family and friends get togethers and special occasions, like Josh's Christening, having my images exhibited at the Photography Show, the Travel Photoigrapher of the Year touring exhibition and being shortlisted for an award for female photographers in the Food Photographer of the Year contest. I was even one of the women featured in The Guardian in an article about "intrepid solo female travelers" However, as the year passed my chronic back pain worsened and by the end of the Iceland trip I could hardly walk. On returning to the UK, I was sent straight to A & E for an emergency MRI scan and am now under the spinal team. I expect to be put on the waiting list for surgery on my back at some point next year, along with a referral to a hip specialist. When the body starts breaking down, it seems to do so in a rather spectacular fashion! I had to cancel a planned trip to Laos and Cambodia and for a while, it looked like I'd also miss a second visit to India in early 2026 (although, thankfully, it looks like I'll be able to make that now) But as the year finished, there was a most wonderful early Christmas present with the safe arrival of our second grandson and third grandchild - a baby brother for 2 year old Alma and son for daughter Katie and son-in-law Davie. I am a very happy granny! I just wish you could be here Steve, to meet our grandchildren. Its such a wonderful, heart warming experience. I love it! As 2025 draws to a close, I'm not sure what 2026 will bring. Although I am sure it will be a challending year healthhwise for me and on the family front. But I remind myself how you rose to the challenges of a terminal diagnosis and we took advantage of every good day to help us through the more difficult times. I'll try to do the same and stay positive, whatever 2026 brings. Love you xxx