Two years ago at Xmas, against the odds, Hannah had a baby.
I wrote about it then and made you cry.
That blog is in the comments.
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“If one does not know to which port one is sailing, no wind is favourable.”
Seneca.
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Recently Hannah won her third award at work in a handful of years, much to no one’s surprise.
(Queen of the Miro whiteboard and an ability to make the complex simple.)
The award ceremony was Hannah’s first of many such nights away from Robin.
But not too many, because that’s not what Hannah wants.
A few years before Robin Matilda arrived Hannah sat me down in the Uplawmoor hotel and told me she wanted to have a baby.
Ever the planner, she outlined her path to success: method, back up, timing, short and long-term financing.
Think how you’d feel if your single, gay daughter- newly landed in Glasgow, four stone soaking wet and still looking like your wee girl- told you that.
Jings… what if it doesn’t work?
Jings… what if it does?
Well, the proof of the pudding, as they say…
Today Hannah is planning the new kitchen in her recently bought semi detached in Waterfoot- close to work, mum, dad, gran, brother Matt, the nursery and both schools Robin will go to- where she works from home four days, doing her whiteboard thang.
But, hold on Hannah…
l know people like you who are partners in London consultancies.
(I told you so, repeatedly, they have more money than god.)
At that time she was in the Big Smoke, the business world at her feet.
But, no dad…
I’ve mostly stopped telling Hannah that these leviathans would still give her a job at twice what she earns.
Ten times more if she made partner.
Talk to the hand, dad…
You might think the moral here is that you can have it all.
But it’s surely not…
Hannah doesn’t have it all, and every parent knows the first 27 years are the worst: even if you are a pair.
This story is about choices.
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“Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants.”
Epictetus.
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The most remarkable thing about Hannah is not motherhood or awards, plenty women have both.
It’s that, when she wanted to be a mum Hannah decided, despite the numbers on the spreadsheet and the possibility of failure, to go all in.
What I thought over that lunch was:
this won’t be easy,
nothing is guaranteed,
disappointment may follow,
have you got your financial ducks in a row?
Hannah had the answers, supporting data and a laser-like focus.
Hannah and Matt, you are a joy. I am in awe of you both for who you are… and what you do.
One day I will post about my darling boy, whom I have watched become a man and father to Molly. A man in possession of many qualities I lack.
A post for another time, when I find the words.
You both have set a fine course in a changing world, with luck the wind will often be at your back.
As will l.
201x.
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Every Monday l post on stoicism.
My aim is to make your day, improve your week… and change your life!
