If Summer is the time for enjoying the beauty of the world around us, then Winter is the time for turning inwards; the time for reflection. My next few blogs pretty much follow this theme so, if you don’t mind listening to a few things that have been muddling around in my mind over the past few days then read on…

I inherited my mum’s wanderlust, it seems. I love travelling and, of me and my brother, I’m the one who moved away from the area I grew up in.

Unfortunately, due to the cost of petrol these days, living 2½ hours from my family means I don’t get to see them as often as I might wish to. Sometimes the distance makes my heart ache. It does mean, though, that I cherish the time I get to spend with them.

This year is extra special because of the arrival of my nephew, Theo. Sure, he’s too small to really react to me, but I am still very much in awe whenever I hold him and know that this little being is linked to me by blood and love. It’s also amazing to watch my little brother and Elle being such wonderful parents and seeming to take everything in their stride. I’m so proud of both of them.

In all, it’s been an absolute dream to share Christmas with everyone (not just my immediate family, but also my aunt, uncle and cousin who I went to visit today). It hurts a little to know I miss, and will miss, so many things with my nearest and dearest but I do try to make the most of the time I get to spend with them and they with me.

As much as we can sometimes get one each other’s last nerves, there’s a lot of love in the Smith household these days. You can barely get in the door without getting a hug; you definitely can’t get in the door without a crazy Jack Russell terrier rushing out to lick you to death. There’s generally a comfortable, warm feeling about the house. It’s almost like it was when I was younger which is lovely; my family home has life in it again.

I doubt I’ll move back to the area I grew up in. As much as I realise how lucky I was to grow up in a green and beautiful place and as much as I love my family, I’m the sort whose footsteps move onwards and not back. The person I am now is very different to the person I was 7¼ years ago when I left home; I no longer fit with the area of my youth and perhaps there will come a time when I no longer fit with Wiltshire either (but that’s another train of thought entirely).

One thing I am certain of, though, is that I fit in my family, and I know now that I always will. It’s a very good thing to be certain of, and it fills my heart with warmth.