My dream of writing in my autumn years became a reality when I joined Medium in April 2018. I publish essays and poetry on a range of topics, from emotional health, self, social justice, politics, culture, climate change and spirit, and dip into humor when life gets too serious.

Although born in the UK, I’ve lived most of my life in South Africa. I became a South African citizen in 1994 at the demise of apartheid and aim to live out my remaining years here. I tried twice to leave, but once Africa is in your soul, she calls you back.

During my 50 years of active employment, I worked in fashion, property, handbag manufacturing, fleet management, retail furniture, picture framing, banking, and myriad other businesses long forgotten.

I was an aspiring singer-songwriter in my thirties, but found the music industry too stressful for my introverted self and gave up my quest to make a breakthrough.

In my 40's, I embarked on a corporate management career after divorcing my first husband far later than I should have—a narcissist deluxe. During this time, I burned out twice, suffering from depression and agoraphobia. I recovered by applying the lessons learned through excellent psychological counselling. This included taking up daily meditation and journaling which are ingrained habits after 30 years.

Society still views people of a certain age as expendable (as my last employer did when I reached the age of 65) instead of indispensable. My philosophy is you can’t stop growing older, but you can stop growing old. My biological clock may be ticking, but I’m alive and kicking at 76.

Forever curious, I vow to play with words for the rest of my days. Without this, I would feel incomplete. I repeated this promise to my second husband—my soulmate for the past 40 years — a month before he died in January 2024.

Since he departed, I’ve written essays and poetry focusing on the raw emotions of grief and adapting to a future alone. Words healed and allowed me to gain clarity on my healing journey.

As the pain of loss recedes, I’m ready to call myself a Wise Optimistic Widow—still WOW, and accept this new chapter of my life.

I write on whatever topic arouses my heart, and value love, kindness, and compassion for all.

We are one human race, and if we can embrace each other with love and without judgement or fear, we can create heaven on earth.

“Tis not for nothing that we life pursue;

It pays our hopes with something still that’s new:

Like travellers, we’re pleased with seeing more

Did you but know what joys your way attend,

You would not hurry to your journey’s end.”

(From John Dryden’s Restoration drama, Aureng-zebe, 1675.)

Thank you for being here. I promise to be there for you, whoever and wherever you may be.