Where to begin? As usual, I have left my update too long and now could write a novel about all the things that have been happening in Seymourland since my last post.
I leave it so long because: I’m busy, I can’t be bothered, I doubt anyone is really interested and my blog is in fact just drivel.
But then I remember that it’s my diary, it’s rather therapeutic and quite frankly, at least as far as our family goes, it’s historical.
And today, the sense of history is rather great. The whole world (except for maybe a few indigenous communities in far flung parts that I like to remember in the interests of accuracy) is aware of the fact that Queen Elizabeth has died. In this country, anyone over about 71 will not have known another monarch. Royalist or not, it’s obvious that this is historical.
I think it’s sad. I read a lot of Philippa Gregory novels where history cones to life, but I wasn’t quite ready for our Queen to be confined to the past just yet. Maybe few of us were. She was 96 and frail, but still working. On Tuesday, she met the new Prime Minister, as per protocol. And on Thursday, she was gone.
I don’t claim to know all the details about her life, but I couldn’t help but like and respect her. At times, I envied her position, and at others, I did not. She was clearly loved by many.
Above all, I feel the loss most of all for her grandchildren. They, as adults now, have had the benefit of a lifetime of love and inspiration from her. They would have benefitted from being kids when she was comparably young and very active. What a privilege that must have been.
Ninety six is old, there’s no doubt. But as the archbishop of Canterbury said, it reminds us that nothing is permanent. Even The Queen could not defy time.
She leaves a great legacy in her example. She embraced changing times, and I think that can be the only way forward. I am sad she is gone. It will be different. But I’m excited about King Charles and what the future holds.
The Four Little Seymours are embracing change, too. The poor little buggers have no choice. Five homes in four months kind of calls for flexibility. Number One is off to university (having achieved A*,A*, A in her A Levels!) and Mini Seymour is in the final year of primary school. Boy Seymour changes every five seconds. To say his moods are mercurial be would an understatement.* And Number Two is finally getting taller!
Hopefully, one day soon they will have a home to call their own again. It’s rather a slow process, this moving lark. But in the spirit of positivity that I am trying to cling onto, we must look to the future with any optimism we can muster. After all, change is as good as a holiday, so they say!
New king, new home, new phase. Bring it on!
The Four Little Seymours at Nanny’s house. Because Nanny reminded me of a queen.
*My mercurial son was only presented with Scout of the Year on Wednesday, so he can’t be all bad. It’s pertinent that the award was for 2021 and not 2022, but it’s a win nevertheless, and I’m very proud of him. And all of them, for that matter.
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