HYACINTH BOUQUET

On this occassion I speak of the genuinely wonderful smell of the hyacinths that are currently infusing the house as opposed to the Mrs H Bouquet from the comedy series of yesteryear..
Whilst today wasn't my birthday, anniversary or even Christmas (that was last month-Christmas I mean!)... today was a celebratory one and was generously marked by the several gifts that I received on my return to work coffee morning. Whilst I wasn't actually returning to work, though plan to by the early spring, and though it was also a tea, decaff and herbal drink morning too, it was an opportunity to meet up with my Thursday girls in my Thursday Hall in the soon to be seasonal leafy N.London.( yes, yes...i'm talking about THE ARRIVAL OF SPRING!) At least the sun was out, albeit weakly, and to my great surprise the girls, (yes, I insist that they are all girls ranging from 51- 80's) turned up in full force...And, ( I know I should never begin sentences with an AND) as I began, several armed with floral gifts which I have to say was an unexpected treat! Just seeing them walk in, enjoying the meet n greet kisses, hugs and updates it was hard to believe that we are merely a weekly fitness group and for some of them, they may have known me over a relatively short period of time. Since I've been an exercise instructor for almost 30 years (whoops...that is so ooo ageing!) it isn't surprising that many of my clients have been, come, gone and returned at various stages of their lives and even I find myself somewhat shocked when Clients remind me that they've been on my register for decades and longer.. Is it my motivational advice, the range of movements or the professional way in which I hope to run my sessions? No, for the mostpart I'm convinced its the social mix, the upbeat environment that eminates from the warmth of the group as a whole and perhaps, almost certainly, its the weekly diatribes and free form updates on the W. household and my own life in general that takes on a 'bloggish' like interest and connects us all together. That isn't to suggest that my W household are any more interesting or exciting than any other local family of course but perhaps there is an element of -whatever will be next in the on going life of ?!! :-)
Could I ever have imagined that I would be so fortunate as to find myself in a career path which offered me so much even if the income bracket wouldn't reach the bottom rung of most 20 year olds ladders? In truth the benefits have been so many and so uplifting (and I promised myself not to mention any breast related thoughts in todays blog!) ......that its difficult to consider how much money I may have made in a sales or marketing post which could have been a more obvious alternative route. But, best I don't give it any further thought- since for almost thirty years the 'girls' have probably taught me much more than I could ever teach them, have shared their joys and their stresses, have thanked me and hugged me, lifted my spirits, given me a wonderful reason to get up and go to work and propelled me into middle age with a skip in my step and a fine raison d'etre. Thus I never needed or expected flowers or gifts to underpin all these feelings that eminated from our get together. Once again I'd simply like to thank you, all of you, even those who couldn't join me today in supporting me through this difficult patch... and I am absolutely thrilled that it looks likely that i'll be back on them boards, strutting my stuff and warbling on within a few short weeks! :-)