h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Ten years ago, I had just gone through one of the most amazing years of my life. In July I became the father of a wonderful young boy and in August I witnessed a massive earthquake at first hand. The year came to an end with a holiday in Phuket - courtesy of a lucky draw at a business dinner some months beforehand. Things seemed so good, they could only get better.

Well, some things did get better, but in other ways my luck utterly ran out. Now I am a very different man. More confident in some ways, but in other ways more serious, more worried, more exasperated by life.

The last ten years have been momentous to say the least. I had plenty of good times, but also many setbacks along the way. The highlights of the decade were the three more wonderful children that I helped to bring into this world. It thrills me every day to see all four of them growing up and experiencing life anew. I made some very good friends (some right here on this site) and I found love when I least expected it. I also found new ways to express myself and I managed to get a masters degree for myself along the way. For this I am truly grateful.

However the decade is also dominated by great loss. Loss of a father. Loss of a marriage. Loss of a clean bill of health. I also found that life in the cutthroat world of modern business had more downs than ups. The Noughties brought huge adversity, and to be sitting here during its final few hours seems an achievement in itself.

So I look to the next ten years with mixed feelings. My children will be growing up and not quite as dependent on me. My mother's generation will be growing older and sadness is sure to come from their ranks. I need to make great changes in my career but I have not yet fixed on its final course. My closest ties need careful attention lest I repeat the mistakes of previous years.

Although my best years are probably behind me now I refuse to give in to Grouchy Old Man syndrome. Deep inside me is a child, with that same burning sense of wonder. This child has absorbed a few punches but the flame still shines, though often through dense thorny thickets of self-doubt.

I know that ten years is far too long for any of us to sustain a lucky streak, so all I can ask is for dreams to be answered and for difficulties to be overcome, for me and for all of you. Let the Moon shine through our deepest night.

thank you

I've just been gazing at the eclipsed moon and wondering why I'm still here, when I've already outlived Douglas Adams, Elvis and Princess Di. I gather I must still have work to do...

I'm grateful for my friends here. Someone to share the pain of living with, and the joys too. I still despair I will grow old alone, unloved.

with your life and your ties, they are golden and to be treasured.

I hope to hug you for real, one day

Woodpigeon,

Thank you for your kind wishes. Life seems to go in ten year cycles (for me at least) and you never know what is round the corner. You are still young with a lot of life in front of you, so I wish you all the best for the future and a Very Happy 2010.

Websailor

Dear woodpigeon,

Fascinating reading the last ten years that you have experienced. Beautifully told and gently written.

You are still so young - my goodness. My last ten years were from 71-81.

I shall think about it tonight when I go to sleep on my reclining chair, and hopefully write as clearly and as objectively as you have.I certainly think that they have been exceptional years, and that I have been able to put into practice all the wonderful experiences I have had in my life.

I am a strong believer in accepting everything encountered on the path of living can be of tremendous use to one, even if at the time the experience is anything but enjoyable.!!

A real Candide I believe.

Have a happy time seeing in the New Year.


christiane
Alsoran80

31/XII/09 20.10 GMT

That's a wonderful account, Woodpigeon.

I wish you all the best for the next decade (or two, or three).

Happy New Year B'Elana.

it has been good getting to know you this year.

I wish you Everything you would wish for yourself in the new decade 2010

Sincerely,

Christiane

31/XII/09 10.30 GMT

Thank you, Christiane.

I wish you and K all the best for 2010, and I hope you'll go on sharing your fascinating memories with us.

Kind regards

B'elana

Very moving summary Woodpigeon - I really must go and do my own, soon!

Thank you, Woodpigeon. I wish you all the best for the new year and for many years to come.