Happy New Decade

Just Behind Those Hills

Having had my mind on other things, and people, since arriving in Australia, and still not really grasping the idea that we’ve just celebrated Christmas and are about to see in a new year, it’s only just dawned on me that it’s actually the end of a whole decade too. In fact, it had to be pointed out to me. And I almost wish it hadn’t been as it’s added another layer of significance that I could do without. Another whopping ten years is over.

These markers of the passage of time always make me feel slightly queasy. And that’s despite feeling pretty pleased with the way things have gone these past years. At the end of 2010, I was parenting a teenager, had a part-time job as a teaching assistant, and was a year into a Masters degree in Art Psychotherapy. That’s not to say things things were bad, but I also don’t remember feeling particularly jolly at the beginning of the last decade either. Looking back, I had been rattled by what had gone before and was intent on marching forwards away from the previous decade. I was on the road. But now, so many of those trails seem to have converged in the spot I am now and it all, for the most part, makes perfect sense. I really can’t imagine a place I’d rather be than right here, right now. Geographically, physically, emotionally, and all. Life is good. So I’m really not sure what gives with the queasiness. I certainly don’t want to be young again, but I suppose it is related to getting older. I think I’d like my superpower to be able to stop time in the midst of the good stuff. Just my time, mind you. I wouldn’t want to hamper anyone else’s journey out of the mire.

Despite the fires that still rage all around Australia, northerly winds mean the immediate area around Byron Bay and the Northern Rivers remains unaffected. The skies are beautifully clear and now, sitting here, looking out across the cane fields towards the hills, nothing suggests a world anything less than peaceful and perfect. And it is just behind those hills that I will be at a festival dancing my way into the new year, and new decade, tonight. And seeing as the sun will set here first, I’ll be dancing before the rest of you take to the floor, so am sending my Happy New Year wishes now. I hope you get to hang around in the good stuff too.