farmdoc's blog post number 225

I’ve never had a major long-term dream; an overarching, burning ambition; a transcendent personal aspiration. I don’t know, and I’ll never know, if that’s been a help or hindrance in my life. It’s just the way it’s been. I’ve had lots of minor goals and aims. But never a moonshot; a grand slam; a king hit. However I’ve the greatest of admiration for those who have. Many of them, despite life-long striving, never achieve their objective. For them the journey, the struggle, may suffice. I don’t know. But the few – I’m tempted to say the lucky few though I think of golfer Gary Player’s famous quote (‘The harder I practise, the luckier I get’) – get to both relish the journey and savour the delicious fruit of the destination. For as long as I’ve known her, my Sweetheart Vivienne has wanted to be a Writer. (I use the upper case W advisedly.) Then on Friday 21 November 2008, she strode up to the apex of her Everest, parted her feet to get a good grip on the planet, firmly drove her flagpole down deep into the snow, half smiled with satisfaction, slowly and deliberately scanned the 360° horizon, then quietly shed a small tear. She’d arrived. Her drive, determination, dedication and discipline had gotten her there. I’m overjoyed. And proud. Very proud. In fact, couldn’t be prouder.