From The Cotswolds to Botswana and Back Again Part 3
So to the more present. After completing my vocation training my yearning to be with my family was growing ever stronger. I had spent nearly a decade apart from them and now I wanted more than ever to make up for lost time.
I have two beautiful nephews who are only just starting out in the world but provide me with no end of amusement as I watch their innocence of the world get them into all sorts of trouble. I have a big brother who I love to the core and will always be there for me no matter what and I have two parents that despite having been the worst child on the planet love me unconditionally.
They will still tell me in no uncertain terms when I step out of line but there’s a great level of respect now, on both sides. I tell them all, every time I speak to them that I love them because life can be cruel and as human beings we have a horrible trait of taking health and time, our most precious commodities for granted.
Sorry I digress slightly, so, the need to come home brings me to gaining an associate position in Stratford upon Avon, which is much closer to my family in Gloucestershire. My new boss just happens to be a very good friend with my friend who was my original influence for becoming a dentist all that time before in Botswana. Is it too out there to propose that everything happens for a reason? That actually our life is already mapped out for us and that if you listen to that inner voice you will always pick the right path despite not even being conscious of it at the time?
I know I have picked out the main life events and there’s a lot of filler in-between but don’t you think there are lot of coincidences that got me to where I am today? Well there’s more. In Stratford I meet a guy and we start dating. I wasn’t really looking for anyone because let’s face it I didn’t have the best track record at picking the right ones. It’s not been all plane sailing but low and behold I got engaged just 4 days ago and he is fab and I’m truly looking forward to spending the rest of my life with him.
So in the present, I’ve bought an old doctors’ surgery in Moreton-in-Marsh and I’m currently converting it into a dental surgery. All of my close family and friends have been roped in to help and we have literally built it with our own bare hands. We work approximately 18 hours a day, 7 days a week throwing everything we have into making it the vision I had when I first saw the building.
There have been challenges along the way but I know that I am here at this point for a reason and that gives me only more energy and more reason to keep pushing forward. I spent the afternoon today putting in my shower with my dad. I had no idea how to do this and I’m not 100% sure my dad had much more of an inkling but the sense of achievement was immense when we finally turned the tap on.
I felt truly blessed that despite the leaks and the odd swear word and the silicone fumes and nearly putting my back out for the umpteenth time taking the shower screen in and out, I had the opportunity to spend the afternoon with my dad gaining a memory that every day I have a shower I put this in with him. Not many people can say that.
I rang my brother to ask him if he would give up his Saturday when he plays rugby to lay the floor with me because the flooring can’t go down as it is. He said no probs sis I’ll be there. My future father in law has also given up his Saturday when he normally plays hockey to help. And after all that I came home at 9pm and could eat dinner with my fiancée and despite being too tired to say much to each other we didn’t feel we needed to.
It was a good day. Opening date is set for the 23rd November, I wonder what the next chapter holds?
Never give up and always be kind, Caroline.