Resolute resolutions and scary statistics

As usual the year has started with a gallop and the end of January has arrived. According to statisticbrain.com, 58.4% of those who made a New Year’s Resolution will already have given up on their goal. As someone who doesn’t make any to start with, I can happily say I’m unaffected by this statistic.
 
Here in New Zealand it’s summer. Being an island nation at the bottom of a vast and sometimes tumultuous ocean, this means not being certain of whether our weather might be good, bad or indifferent.. Some years we have good summers. Other years we are plagued by cyclones or wind or changeable conditions with cloud, rain and sun all taking turns in any given day to despair or delight. I’m pleased to report that this summer has given us a good range of favourable days and record hot temperatures – hopefully a phenomenon caused by nature rather than climate change.
 
Over the summer our family have had what might best be termed a staycation. We’ve pottered about the city, made use of the back-yard hammock and had the odd beach visit or two. One exception to this city-based summer came just two weekends ago when my husband (Paul) and I headed south for the day as part of our 28th wedding anniversary celebrations. We enjoyed a great lunch at a beautiful restaurant on an olive estate before going on to Hobbiton to do the movie set tour from the Lord of the Rings films. It proved to be a delightful way to celebrate our wedding anniversary.
 
Statistic-wise, and depending on your country of residence, the divorce rate is anything between 33 – 50%. This figure changes markedly for parents of special needs children, with a whopping 80% of marriages not standing the test of time – or, more accurately, the test of caring for a small person with big needs.
 
As a couple in this latter bracket we can also say that, to date, we're also happily unaffected by this statistic, I can only reflect on what might have helped keep us strong. Because, at the end of the day, we have no magic answers or superpowers. After pondering this, I can only conclude it’s team work, a common purpose, hard work and a good sense of humour. Oh, and good, old fashioned love, of course.
 
This all makes me wonder, if I had to make a resolution from here, what would it be? After yet more pondering I conclude it's this: To keep smiling, keep striving, keep hopeful…and keep writing! I feel quite resolute about that. How about you?

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