Last month my baby girl had a baby girl and it taught me so much about love.

So I’m about to step on a plane once again and travel to the other side of the world. It’s exciting and unnerving all at the same time. I’m returning to Prague with a few stops along the way to revisit some cities that hold a piece of my heart. It feels surreal to know I’ll be walking those cobblestone streets again after five years.

I’ve heard people say, “Getting there is half the fun.” Well, I'm not so sure about that. I’ve spent more time in the air than I would like, and although I understand the privilege of travelling to some of the most amazing places in the world, being high up in the air is not my favourite thing to do!

Yep, 90! It's remarkable and if you met him, you'd think I was mistaken. He has aged so incredibly well and looks like a spritely 80-year-old, and that's probably too high a number!! But what's even more remarkable is how his heart has aged; not his physical heart, although that's doing pretty well, his soul, his heart for life, love and people. The phrase young at heart has never been more fitting!

As Dad turns 90, I've been thinking about all the things I've learned from him: what to do and perhaps what is better left undone.

Sometimes, the buzz of people, the busyness of the world, and all it means to be human are a little overwhelming for someone like me. I'd much rather pull myself away from the crowd, find a quiet corner, and sit with one or two people, discussing the mysteries of life into the small hours of the night. 

And even more than that, I'm happy being hidden, quietly living my life without the fanfare and bright lights. I'm a 'behind the scenes' human when all is said and done, and I love my ‘alone’ time! Perhaps that's why I love lighthouses; the life of a lighthouse keeper used to be so appealing to me. Left alone, isolated from the rest of the world. Hidden away with my thoughts.

But here's the thing: we were never meant to do life fully alone, hidden from those around us. 

Never underestimate the power of your triumphs AND your struggles to change the lives of those around you….even if it is just to help a girl climb a lion.

Sometimes I wish I’d been called to write romance fiction and comedy. Although the process of putting yourself ‘out there’ as a writer is the same, (and these genres carry with them other challenges I don’t face), at least I could hide behind my characters.

I’ve been thinking today how the unveiling of my life for all to see is either a really dumb idea or one that will do all it is supposed to do in this world! You see, I used to think I needed to have it all together or at least look to the outside world like I did. I was convinced that if I didn’t hide my tears, hopelessness and shame, I’d be left vulnerable and alone, and so I did all I could to make sure that never happened!

It all begins with an idea.