Mellisa Susan Rayner b. 20/12/2006We welcomed into the world our first grandchild just before Christmas. Seen here doing a very passable impersonation of Winston Churchill (that's my girl!). All of which reminds me of what might turn out to have been my finest hour (well, a little bit less than an hour, actually).
Whilst I welcome Millie without reservation, I have to say that it has been a long personal struggle with the so called "middle-age crisis". I remember seeing the doctor for a medical about 10 years ago (making me about 47) and being told that I had the body of a 24 year (I don't know how he found out). Today I am recovering from a heart attack and have a mysterious neurological condition which renders me near to unable to walk, certainly without a stick and which could, eventually, paralyse me from the neck downwards. I think Mel Gibson, himself, would struggle to keep up with the speed at which the transformation occurred. Even so, I could live another 40 years (certainly my ambition) and so I am spurred on to make the adjustment.
So, oddly, Millie and I have much in common. We both face a brave and exciting new world with much to learn and much to adjust to. Looking back is easy (and self indulgent). The challenge is, as always, "to boldly go..."
Pierre
