As Kate mentioned, we’re both in a place of creative unknowing and, no surprise, it’s got me thinking! Specifically, for today, about how ceremony and ritual fit into my life and work. As a celebrant this may seem obvious. However, this month I had the privilege of helping a family create a funeral for their loved one. And whilst I did officiate the service, on this occasion, my task was more about creating the space for their farewell. It was not an event laden with symbolic gesture or a ceremony that required lots of creative writing on my side. It was a simple send-off, centred around heartfelt words from three generations. My role was one of deep listening, offering guidance – mainly to give them the confidence to follow their instincts – and providing a thread to link each of their individual contributions…

I turned 52 last week. I took the day off – I always do – but it was a simple affair. The occasion was marked with lovely messages from family and friends, copious contributions to my holiday reading material (for September) and lunch à deux at a local favourite. All very low-key. The day was lovely, but in the run up…and since…I found myself preoccupied with a previous, and much larger, celebration…

Where have the last 6 weeks gone?! In a haze of busy-ness for me!! If the same for you, then I hope you are looking forward to some downtime soon...even if just the few minutes you’re taking to read this!

Over the last six weeks, I’ve been refining a chapter for an academic text book and received feedback from two reviewers – both with PhDs – and lots of experience with this kind of writing. Some valuable critique but no significant areas to re-write; surprising, (to me at least), given this is my first foray into the scholarly sphere and it’s been a bumpy ride – but that’s another whole story!

Before we continue, confirming that the title of this column is not a typo! Whilst this is the first time we’re meeting here, the column is so titled because I’ll be popping in each issue to share what I’ve been musing on through my academic research, as a result of my professional practice and, well, in the course of my life as a woman who loves ‘gossip’! Speaking of which…