It was the year of karma
The year of surprises
The year I took back what was mine
It was the year of rebirth
A year of great celebrations
A year of happiness
And a year of joy
It was a new age
It was the end of history
It was the year everything changed….

I have adapted the words to the intro to season 4 of the greatest sci-fi series ever written which is Babylon 5 to sum up the last year for me. It is ironic that where 2013 was the worst year of my life when I lost my much loved and wanted only son Frankie when he was stillborn, 2023 has been the best year of my life.  I was so lucky this year to see karma play out in front of my very eyes, to see some who bullied and abused me get their comeuppance in ways I couldn’t ever have predicted. I’m a big believer in karma, and I was lucky enough to be able to watch in so many cases with people who did me wrong and who bulled and abused me.

My highlights of 2023 include:

– Being awarded an MBE for services to cyber security and diversity/inclusion, and being presented with it by King Charles III at Windsor Castle on 19 December.

– Finally getting my ADHD diagnosis in January 2023 to add to my autism diagnosis that I got previously.

– Seeing the exhibition of Freddie Mercury’s belongings at Sotheby’s in August with my lovely friend Fiona.

– Celebrating my 50th birthday in October for the entire month, I did so many lovely things to mark and celebrate it, and had so many lovely cards, messages and gifts, I was so lucky and so blessed. The highlight of the month was going for afternoon tea at The Lygon Arms in Broadway with Sylvia Herbert, something I had always wanted to do 😊

– Starting my role as Senior Cyber Security Specialist at Qualitest. It meant leaving Logistics UK and my wonderful line manager Rona behind as she was the best line manager I have ever had, which was a really hard decision to make. But I was very happy to be back in cyber security.

– Seeing my Poppy improve so much and be so much more playful and happy as a result of her having regular hydrotherapy, laser treatment and canine physiotherapy/massage for her back. That has been the biggest and most important highlight of the year that has made me very happy indeed.

And the one thing that I wish I could have changed about this year? The amount of train strikes or rail engineering works that meant I could hardly get to any conferences or events. Every time I arranged something, 9 times out of 10 there would be a train strike or rail engineering works and it would be scuppered. I hope that 2024 will be easier on that front next year, and I can get to more in-person events. Still, I did as many virtual ones as I could manage to make up for it 😊

I’m not under any illusions, as good as this year has been, it could all change in the blink of an eye. I know first hand how quickly things can change overnight. It is because of this that I have learnt to appreciate the good times when they come and to cherish them, for it could all change in seconds. There have been some awful things happen in the world this year and they continue to happen, and I hope beyond hope that things get a bit better in the world next year.

And the best part of 2023? Each and every one of YOU 😊 I could not have got through this year without you all, I have the most amazing friends in my life, and I love you all. I am always on hand to talk, to listen without judgement and to be there for anyone who needs it. I know what it is like to feel all alone, and I never want any one of you to feel like that. One thing I’ve learnt this year is no matter how bad things seem, there is always, always hope 😊

Here is to a very happy, healthy, successful and prosperous 2024 for us all, and to all that the new year will bring us. Thank you, for everything…I love you all xx