Summer vanishes and Rachel Killington’s social plans turn out to be similarly transient. Change of climateIsn’t it funny how things can change so much in just a short amount of time?  A few weeks ago we were all enjoying one of the hottest months since records began. My post-holiday depression was eased slightly by soaring temperatures at home that matched those I had enjoyed in the Mediterranean. (It wasn’t dispelled completely, however, as I found it slightly tedious readjusting to life back in Blighty - particularly the fact that I couldn’t wear a bikini 24/7 and drink cocktails at 11am, or eat five meals a day without cooking or washing up when I arrived back home.) But every day was long, hot and sunny, and everybody seemed to be happy because of it. (I was even able to eat ice cream for lunch if I wanted, and nobody questioned it!) That all seems so long ago now.
On the day I am writing this, temperatures were predicted to reach a ‘high’ of 19 degrees - 15 degrees less than two weeks ago. I went into work dressed in my winter boots and a jumper, and still was cold. It’s now almost completely dark and it’s only just past 9pm and there has been torrential rain and flash flooding where I live. I’m reluctant to admit to it (since it is officially British summer time) but I’ve even put the heating on. Making plansIt’s all change at home too. A few weeks ago I was already happily making plans for next summer, forecasting holidays and days out, open air concerts, beer gardens and barbecues. My older brother and his wife have recently moved into a new house with a beautiful big garden, and we’d talked about all the social gatherings that could take place there. (Living in a first floor flat can raise particular safety issues when planning certain events such as barbecues, so I was keen to join in with their plans.) We’re a quite close family and often mix in the same social circle, so I was eagerly looking forward to drunken summer evenings with all our friends in their garden, with burnt sausages, cheesy tunes and cheap beer in abundance and maybe the odd game of ‘Twister’ thrown in for good measure. After all, that’s what you do when you’re young isn’t it…? Yes, it’s funny how things can change so much in just a short amount of time. Well doneLast Wednesday my brother had been particularly keen to showcase his DIY skills and was exceptionally insistent that I visit to scrutinise his newly applied bathroom tiles, despite my pleas that I could see them at anytime. After examining said handiwork and congratulating him on a job well done I made my excuses as I was eager to get home. Just as I was about to leave I had a small black and white card thrust into my hand. Naively I initially thought it was an invitation - perhaps to a social event - or a thank you card, but there was no writing inside. After turning it over several times it became clear. It was an ultrasound picture. My sister in law is a trainee paediatric nurse so I dismissed it, thinking ‘oh bless, she’s obviously trying to get me interested in her course’. But only after glancing up to see two pairs of eyes staring expectantly at me did I bother to look closer at the image. And then the penny dropped. It was their ultrasound picture. So for me it’s goodbye to any of the shallow, frivolous social plans I had envisaged, and hello to babysitting, bottle-feeding and graphic birth stories. I’ve never really liked change and this one is slightly larger than any I’ve had to deal with recently, but I’m overjoyed for them both - they’re so happy and I know they’ll make fantastic parents. And when the baby arrives I know I’ll adore it. I guess that change, however, much we try and fight it, can sometimes be inevitable. And often the changes that we try so hard to avoid can enrich our lives in ways we never thought possible. It certainly puts life into perspective… Is end-of-summer malaise creeping up on you? Send your comments, views and experiences to Rachel. See Rachel's job log from the last issue and
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