The Long Goodbye

Goodbye my friends.................

I always knew I would recognise when the time was right to retire 'The Very UnFrench Wife' story and it feels about right, right now.

I've been mulling it over for a few months now and with the decision made NOT to return to France, it makes total sense to bring this story to a close. I did hang on a little too long maybe?

We've had many wonderful years together, late 2016 - 2017 to now, we nearly made it to a full decade Folks but I think we are done. This last chapter needs one more blog from the last wives standing then we can shut the door gently and with love.

No regrets.

It's been bloody marvellous getting to know everyone over the years, through thick and thin, boy did you have to hold me up emotionally sometimes. I hope in turn I brightened your day or made you laugh, I know I can be a muddle and a half sometimes!

Thank you.

I believe we all benefited from the community we built together one way or another and the UNFRENCH tag will live on beyond this blog, which has had many guises over the years.

I have made lifetime friendships. I have virtually met folks from all over the globe. I feel humbled, grateful and thankful. I mean, when I think about the whole journey, it's been incredible in parts. I launched a simple blog which was just supposed to keep my family in the loop and it became a household name, sometimes for all the wrong reasons. It is what it is in the end!

It's been a rollercoaster!

I hope I showed you all that moving to France wasn't always smooth sailing and certainly not always a fairytale. I still believe for many, the French adventure is everything they want and need, more even. I love that for them. I never compared their story to mine. I always hoped ours would get better but it wasn't to be.

Do we feel it's a fully closed chapter him and I? I'd say yes but every so often he says something that makes me keep the door ajar just a smidge. Who knows what the next decade will bring?

If it felt right we'd certainly give it another go!

There, I said it!

The UnFrench Wife is very much a part of me, I am her and she is me and I accept that it will never change. I've still got the book to finish writing but to do that I need to settle down at my desk and really write her chapter and verse. It's time to stop procrastinating. Time to focus.

I also need to pay attention to my new floral business and build it to mean something. That will also take much of my time going forward.

Will I stop blogging?

I don't think so, no.

Writing is very much part of me and my make up. What would I do with all those words?

When I will get a new blog up and running?

I guess yes, when it makes sense and I have a new story to tell. Stay subscribed here and once i have a new blog I will move you all over!

Be patient as I'm not sure what, how or when it will be!

Anywhoooo, the Facebook and instagram page being hacked recently was a blow and it wiped out many of our followers and also damaged the reach. Was it a sign? I don't know. The page will limp on regardless but I had another more pressing problem to solve and I couldn't quite put my finger on it?

Life suddenly felt rather dull.

I struggled to find things to say but then I realised it wasn't dullness at all! I was finally experiencing peace and contentment, which had been missing from my life for such a long time. The French life drama was gone and in its place, something I very much needed.

Calm.

It's taking some getting used to and I know my life won't always be plain sailing from here on but I'm going to enjoy this quieter chapter for as long as it lasts.

Am I sad?

No not really.

I'm 57 and when I started UNFRENCH I was 47/48, I've grown and so have you. We are all navigating different chapters now. Older, wiser and rather less interested in the world online I feel.

My health is also finally back on track and I really do feel that the fractured French adventure took its toll in the end. It was never supposed to be like that.

But thats how it went down in the end!

It's been an absolute pleasure to know and love you all. We've lost some amazing ladies along the way, whom I've learnt from and will always miss. They gained their angels wings way too early too lead the way ahead of us but I guess thats another reason why, I feel we all need to move forward and enjoy our time here whilst we have it.

It's not goodbye, it's very much see you soon, I promise you and I thank you from the bottom of my cold Scottish/Yorkshire heart for loving me and my fellow UnFrenchies, for being there every morning to tune in to my ministering. Your loyalty is what kept me going every darned day! You gave me a purpose when I most needed it. My fellow admin team which changed many times over the years have done sterling work and hopefully benefited from the community as much as the rest of us have?

There are many names to mention, too many but here are main ladies that come to mind immediately, so let's give it a go!

Clare Hill

Tina Malcolm

Di Phillips

Paula Rolin

Thank you ladies for all the support over the years! It is fitting that we are all still friends to this day!

With love and so much gumption.

Have a cuppa tea and think of me sometimes eh?

Donna - The Very UnFrench Wife out

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