On having a team (or THANK YOU THANK YOU)

I'm always talking to people about having a team in my work. I don't want to be a solo healthcare practitioner for people in general - if I'm working with them, I want to be part of their healthcare team. The team will differ whoever is building it and in my opinion should be individualised to suit the person, but it's my firm belief a team is very important.

I don't want to dwell too long on that and have blogged on the idea before, but as I write, am reflecting that 12 hours ago I was dancing around our local village hall, foot stomping (more effective whilst I was wearing my boots, though I spent most of the evening barefoot), clapping and smiling. So much smiling, and those smiles were reflected around the room in pretty much every case - some with a concentrating vibe, but mostly it seemed like with joy.

The joy of connection, of movement, of vibrant music perhaps. I can't speak for anyone else but yes to all of those from me.

The big thing I want to say here is THANK YOU.

I decide to hold the event, it's my name on the posters for getting tickets and I do a fair bit BUT every single time I am helped by so many. I am great at forgetting I need a team, maybe it's the single parent thing thinking there's just me (there's never been just me, in reality I've had so much love around me), or perhaps an occasional stubborn determined independent woman streak that's there for me... but that asking for help thing I'm not always as good at as I should be. I am utterly grateful for everyone playing their parts in making the events such a success.

Whether it be people offering assistance that I know is there if I need to take them up on it, people coming early, staying late, washing up countless plates, forks, spoons, pans, everything. Seeing the panic in my eye and coming to help me in the kitchen. It can be help in all sorts of forms - my daughter and partner on the food planning team, my partner checking if I'm OK when I'm awake at 3am thinking over what I need to do...

Phoenix Ceilidh Band played again for us - in my opinion they are the best ceilidh band in the world. Dynamic, vibrant, altogether fabulous. Every time.

This year we had the brilliant Jen Armstrong singing during supper,.Jen sang some of her original songs and also some Christmas numbers. I'm always in awe of musical talent - and Jen has so much of it. Really grateful for her and all she brings to the world around her. A true force for good.

The people who put up posters, talk about the event, talk about previous years and how much they enjoyed them, and those who cheerlead from the sidelines, it's all appreciated and makes a huge difference. I'm grateful for everyone who attends - I'm pretty determined I'd just pay for it and dance to Phoenix Ceilidh band myself if no one came, but the event is so much better for having everyone else there!

The people offering large pans when I needed them, dropping them off, staying in for me to collect, or being on my stand-by list in case I need more. I'm worried about forgetting anyone and am so grateful for everyone who was involved. For our community coming together. It was like watching some kind of termite clearing as the band finished, people left and a team of people, entirely unasked, stacked chairs, wiped tables and cleaned up.

One email I recieved this morning said how it really shows village life at its best, and I firmly agree. I love seeing the full age range of people smiling, enjoying, being. I was told of the baby in the sling clapping along to the music, possibly our youngest ceilidher this year. There we all were, together, connected by the beat. Or perhaps by the heat... it did get warm in there!

Yesterday morning, when I knew my parents couldn't come to this one, my partner Steve told me that they can always come to the next one. 'There's not going to be a next one' I muttered at him, though also added, 'by tonight there will be'.

This morning I've made enquries as to the hall and band's availability for the 23/12/23. The Saturday before Christmas. So if you've your next year diary and fancy coming along, pencil it in...

I'll be sharing news of it on my newsletter and likely on Facebook in our village group and my pages nearer the time. If you want to sign up to my work newsletter, there's a signup form on the home page.

If you were in any way a part of the event THANK YOU.

In days when the news reports doom and gloom around the world, it could be that the evening was a tiny, insignificant thing. And yet I believe it was also a beautiful, energy raising, vibrant thing. What's more real? The life on our screens, or there with live music, real people. Perhaps all of it, but I know where I'm going for my joy top ups.

THANK YOU ALL.

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