We’re nearly there – 2013 is taking its last breaths and with it a chapter is closing. It is a year which promised so much but delivered so little. The greatest thing its closing brings is the start of another year that, all things considered, presents challenges and opportunities to behold. It will definitely surpass anything the outgoing year offered.
Let’s start with the negatives – my father’s passing left a huge void in my life. It was expected, yet shocking. I knew that the phone call that came in at 2.44am on 4 November would bear no good news. I contemplated not answering in the hope that all will be fixed when I woke up the next morning. It didn’t happen.
Travelling home to Malta for the funeral was devastating. It also made me realise that my contacts with my native country are slowly coming undone.
It also made me kick myself for not listening to Nirvana’s final recommendations about telling people you love them. I didn’t, simply because I wanted to tell my father ‘I love you’ in person. It was too late. I now make sure I tell my kids – every day, many times a day.
This year also saw me effectively losing my job – it may not be so immediate, but my days at Chevrolet Europe are sadly numbered. General Motors has decided to ‘exit’ Europe and the decision has obvious consequences. It’s a pity – I like Chevrolet, and will miss most of the people working there.
Sometimes, however, being forced into taking a decision makes you see everything in a different perspective. I see it as an opportunity to better my situation, even though right now it may be hard to see life through rose-tinted glasses. But it will happen.
What I’m sure of is that 2014 will be very interesting. For the time being, there is still a job to be done at Chevrolet, and we’ll make sure it’s done right as our customers and those who believe in us deserve nothing less.
There have been a multitude of positives in 2013 – my daughters are all healthy and are enjoying what life is throwing at them. They laugh a lot, and that sound always makes me happy. We had fun holidays with friends, went biking, played, fought and cried together.
Work wise, we had some very successful events – the Trax launch in Croatia, Geneva Motor Show and IAA, the Young Creative Chevrolet Award Night in Manchester and other small, meaningless things that mean so much to so many.
I also started my Masters degree in Media, Communication and Public Relations, ran a half marathon and am now preparing to run a marathon. And Leicester City is top of the table – go Foxes!
The two negatives of the year might have been big, but the sheer amount of small positives has been incredible – maybe this year delivered more than I’m realising. That’s what I’m taking into 2014.