L is for Love, Loss and Laughter

This afternoon I was distracted by a ping on my email which heralded some disappointing news. It involved information about quite an upsetting loss. In the scheme of life it was not so great a loss that it is not recoverable from and it in no way compares to the loss of loved ones, pets, lovers, the loss of limbs or anything remotely so tragic. But it was nevertheless a "loss" and an untimely one at that.

Loss is a subject I deal with in my novel The Changing Room which may come as a surprise to those of you who have not read it, especially given its saucy hardback cover. But loss is a big part of our lives and I wanted to write an uplifting story about overcoming loss and moving forward; a tale that offered hope and inspiration to people going through difficult times - in particular middle-aged women, like myself, who are often torn between many roles and facing difficult choices.

Of course, we each have our own way of dealing with the traumatic times in our lives. For me, sharing love and laughter is a big part of the healing process and that is why my book has far more love and laughter in it than loss. Whilst I think it is good to reflect upon one's past - it is also something that cannot be changed and so I believe it is best to look to the future. Preferably with a smile upon your face and hope in your heart.

Anyhow, I came home late tonight from tennis practice with my boys. I had not yet told the good Mr T of my disappointing news. "Come over here," he said. "I want to show you a picture of something I thought I might buy for you."

The picture was of a diamond pendant about the size of a postage stamp.

Well naturally, as diamonds are a girl's best friend, I liked it a lot. (Almost as much as I like one of those giant-sized boxes of Maltesers.)

Almost as good as a diamond  and sometimes better than sex! 

So I consider myself very lucky. I have a lot of love and laughter in my life. And I know when I get up tomorrow, whatever the weather, the sun will be shining.