"Lately I can't stand to hear other people talking,
So many empty conversations, what a waste of lips.
Lately I like to stand on top of the hill,
And look down upon the city, a heart pumping the roads,
We rejoice at being connected, without touching, thank God for the internet.
We stare at our screens all our lives, what a waste of eyes,
'Till the electrical storm blows our fuses..."
Welcome to my first blog since April, which was written at that particular time to support some uploaded photos to Facebook following my latest visit to Kenya.
The sole purpose of this blog is just to let everyone know that I will be "Going Off The Grid" for a while, from next Monday December 21st until Thursday January 21st.
Due to a combination of holiday and paternity leave I will be enjoying a whole wonderful month off work, and also off social media as I 'unplug' myself from the world to visit my gorgeous fiance and be there for the birth of our child. I am so excited at the prospect of impending fatherhood as I thought this amazing experience had passed me by. Being a dad may well have come to me late in life, but I'm going to cherish every precious moment of this amazing, little miracle that we've been fortunate to be gifted with.
Apart from one Christmas spent with my dear friends Ruth & Glenn Courtney in County Laios in Ireland, all my previous 48 Yuletide celebrations have been spent in England. So this year it is going to be especially exciting, as not only will I be swapping a cold British winter for a totally different climate in the dust and heat of Dunga beside Lake Victoria on the equator in Kenya, but more importantly it will also involve spending it with Nancy and her family...and with our little bundle of joy set to make an appearance somewhen around the turn of the New Year.
2015 has been a very tough year for me, both personally and professionally. Although some of my closest friends have an idea of some of the issues I've had to deal with, I don't think others really appreciate and understand just how much pressure I've been under. If this was entirely self-inflicted then I could have no complaints, but alas this hasn't been the case. I rarely suffer from self-pity, but it's been really hard trying to be so strong for everybody else all of the time, whilst most people around me have been totally oblivious to how I've been feeling, and what I've had to cope with.
I have sacrificed so much over the years, probably far more than most of you know, and it's been a hell of a struggle at times, financially, emotionally and spiritually, but despite these hardships I have continually proved to be a survivor, an optimist, and an old, hopeless romantic!
| Throughout all these recent trials and tribulations there has remained one constant: Nancy. Never has a day passed when we haven't been in contact. Every morning, afternoon and night we share messages and these help me to get through the day. She has been my rock and my pillar of strength, and for someone so young she is incredibly wise. I sometimes wonder what she sees in me...I'm just so thankful that she does (whatever it is). So despite these struggles, I have the comfort of knowing that this year is going to end on a high. |
I would especially like to thank my dearest friends Elona, Curph, and Chappers for their unconditional support, as well as thanking all my wonderful work colleagues at Mercer for continually asking after Nancy's well being and taking an interest in our story, and a special thanks also goes to Nicky Jones, who like Elona gave us such beautiful baby gifts. Finally, my eternal thanks goes to my precious girl Nanshu' for bringing me so much happiness and love into my life...Nakupenda Mpenzi!
So as I'll be "Off The Grid" I'd just like to wish everybody an amazing Christmas and a very Happy New Year. Please don't be offended that I won't be sending out any Christmas cards this year ~ it's nothing personal, just a decision I've made due to the fact that I'll be out of the country for the entire festive season...but those closest to me will remain in my thoughts.
Best wishes, stay safe & take care.
Steve Muskett
