The other day I had a really nice outing with one of my boys. It was quite impromptu and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. At one point during the day, while I was taking about my 100th photo, he said to me ‘God mum, you are such a tourist! Why do you always have to take soo many photos – you’re like a tourist in your own life!’

That phrase has really stuck with me since then, because it is actually right! I am a tourist in my own life, we all are. Each day is a new part of the adventure, and comes with all kinds of risks. There is always something to learn and new things to try.

I certainly don’t know what is coming next for me in a big picture sense – none of us do! I can tell you that I have had some sensational moments and experiences; and I can tell you that not all of the parts of my trip so far have been fabulous. I have had the highest highs and I have had to get through some of the hardest things imaginable, but I guess every adventure has to have drama and suspense and things that make you cry. It has to have relationships, friendships, romance and fun… I’ve certainly had those! There needs be be lows to appreciate the highs. You need main characters – obviously in this/my adventure I am the hero, and you need a supporting cast – that’s you guys!

Since Claytie died, I am much much more aware that I have to be an active participant in my life. I can have a say in the directions I chose and I don’t just have to let things happen. It’s a kind of chose your own adventure thing that has some inevitable big, hard, sad stuff in it. Obviously they are the things that I can’t control, but I can chose how I fill the rest of my story in and I can choose how I feel about it.

For me, playing the tourist in my own life means that I know life is short and I am going to take advantage of every minute I get to have, while enjoying the ride. It means that I am going to take a million photos to remind me of the moments. It means that I am going to say yes to things that take me out of my comfort zone; and it means that I am going to find joy and gratefulness for the people and things in my life that make me smile.

So, in the spirit of living each day and having adventures, this week a friend and I are heading to Tasmania for 5 days. Claytie and I had talked about going after our fabulous trip to Germany and Dubai in 2019, but then 2020 happened and our world changed forever. I am determined that I will continue to do the things we had talked about, and add more to the list. Claytie may not be with me in person anymore, but I know that he is absolutely there in spirit cheering me on. I am looking forward to being an actual tourist this week, both in my life and in Tassie x