Lying heart to heart, nose to nose, arms around his neck, his around mine, to stop his tears, I help him mirror my breathing, my heart beat to bring calm back to his little soul.  This is the authentic me, doing what I love and feeling fulfilled.

Surrounded by papers, scribbling notes, highlighter at the ready, listening, reading, learning. The topics of health, diet, food, support systems and accountability coaches.  This is the authentic me, doing what I love and feeling fulfilled.

In the sunshine, wrapped in my favourite scarf, completing my assignments.  Going to the outside market, choosing fruits and vegetables, talking with the stall owners, being curious and interested.  This is the authentic me, doing what I love and feeling fulfilled.

Juggling shopping, post office parcels, work men, delivery men, builders, diaries, schedules, drop offs and pick ups, the dog and the cat, printer ink and plasters. Coordinating Christmas, New Year, the turkey and a potential ski holiday. This is the authentic me, doing what I love and feeling fulfilled.

Wearing my pinny, leafing through cookery books, delving in to the freezer, rummaging in the fridge, teetering on a stool trying to find a tin of chopped tomatoes.  Whisking, chopping, slicing, mulching, tasting and stirring in the love before serving up to my loves, my Big Man, seeing their satisfied faces. This is the authentic me, doing what I love and feeling fulfilled.

Lying on a sofa, writing whatever comes into my head; drinking his wine, sharing his ice cream.  Watching a comedy, holding hands, laughing;  I stroke his hair, he tickles my feet. This is the authentic me, doing what I love and feeling fulfilled.

Connecting with friends, making plans to meet; connecting online, sharing my journey, congratulating, commenting, sharing, liking, loving, emoji’s to friends near and far, my Dad, My sis, my family.  Alone in a big house, but never feeling lonely.  This is the authentic me, doing what I love and feeling fulfilled.

Today, I lived my life as me.  Mother. Partner.  Homemaker.  Student.  Cook.  Writer.  Daughter and Friend.  Authentic to myself, for myself.