Friday, February 11, 2005

When I'm 64 by Marta Elennon except I can't imagine that, so let's say when I'm 45

The vision I have of my life-to-be is inspired by the films Stealing Beauty, Surviving Picasso and Chocolat. Also the singing of "Cu-cu-rru-cu-cu Paloma" patio scene in Habla Con Ella but less people (I'm listening to that right now). When I picture it, it feels like Indian Summer. The sun shines more often than not and we might enjoy a bit of snow but it is still sunny.

I live in a big beautiful rustic house where everyone has enough space to think and indulge their hobbies. It's in the country but you can bike (and sometimes it's on my trike) through pleasant countryside to the town or we can all jump into the 1950s Porsche Speedster and drive to the beach which isn't far away - there's also lots of nice walks by rivers and through forests and up hills for lovely views - also rolling down them to be silly until just before we feel sick. Sometimes we have Sunday outings with a big gaggle of friends. My daughters are really expert at throwing together a picnic basket.

It would be nice if the town had not only a Waitrose (well a great deli) but art galleries, an art cinema, was quaint and the type of place people come to sample the great eating places and to wander around enjoying the architecture. The values of the people who live there are simple - family comes before work, happiness comes from simple joys - not jewels or BMWs, they celebrate the success and good fortune of others, focus on the positive - eliminate the negative, get off the cross - somebody needs the wood, live in the present, they help people when they can, they tell someone to their face if they have a problem with them, they appreciate culture and the differences between people. The people could well speak another language which means I am living abroad. I really don't think this place exists in the UK. (Must give Canada a whirl for starters)

My friends are from many places around the world as well as locals - they are a colourful bunch with a good dose of talent, energy, fun and big hearts on their sleeves. We have impromptu get togethers when we feel like it, gathering to eat under the vines on balmy evenings. Eight year old balsalmic vinegar is de rigeur and all food is deliciously wholesome. People share their thoughts, ideas, stories, songs, art, etc. - oh and dance frequently. Parties are often themed and an occasion to dress up - people see our house as somewhere where they feel comfortable, happy and have fun. Where they can be themselves. Where they can bring their troubles, cry their hearts out and then lose themselves in laughter.

Family is a good balance between the Waltons and the Osbournes - my Sex and the City fascination is now fed by tales from my two, three or four teenage adopted children (definitely needs to have girls in this number but not necessarily all girls). There is also a good balance between everyone being independent and family togetherness/reliance. Part of the family are the various animals which are probably more waifs and strays I've taken to my heart The children go to jazz concerts in France or such stuff with me because they want to (many of my friends have wonderful kids aged 10+ who have inspired me that a family is what I want - or inspired me to steal their children) and their CD collection is as likely to have Philip Glass or Miles Davis as Busted in it.

My job is shared between work and being a great loving disciplined mum, albeit totally bonkers. Work involves contact with people and is not all the hours god sends - highly unlikely to invlove IT and would be great if it is something where I feel I'm making a difference like counselling or events organiser for a charity. I also have time for my true purpose (I worked this out last year and it felt really good to do so) which is to create things freely in my own way/style that other people appreciate (guess deep down I have that artist thing but it could be organising holidays or anything - I loved organising the Polish girly holiday especially because my friend's mum got to go somewhere she always wanted to, when otherwise she wouldn't have had anyone to go with). If I can make a good living out of that all the better.

We are rich in terms of being happy rather than possessions, but have enough money to have this big house with high ceilings, be comfortable, send the kids to university, to travel and not worry about retirement. Travel is less important because I've done lots of it and I live somewhere so great I don't need to escape to live my dream for a while.

My partner is very nearly all the things I said in my web dating profile (which follows), wanting the same lifestyle and valuing making time to share it as equals and wholes.

Funny I picked 45 randomly. Just remembered I'm going to die at 46. That's what a psychic guy I met once told me. He answered all my past questions correctly but I guess your life path can get rewritten with every chance of fate. I tell you what - if I make it to 47, I will throw a huge huge party for that birthday.

No comments: