Numbers - counting down and counting up!

Numbers can drive you crazy or make you feel really safe in an ever changing world. Personally I have always found numbers quite confusing. There's probably a word for that! My daughter likes numbers. The countdown to Christmas was marked by an advent candle. Lit every day and a real visual reminder of the approach of the special day. There was a chalk board in the hallway declaring the diminishing number of days until Christmas. A snowman sign in the living room complete with a pointy arrow to move each day to a number heralding the arrival of Christmas. I found myself surrounded by numbers!
Christmas was highly organised and timetabled with our usual routine in place. All went well. Six days later and several surprise melt downs on New Years Eve and I had a flash of wisdom. Numbers were about to change.  Why do we have to have a New Year? yelled a voice from upstairs. How will I say that number? So we started to talk about a new day, a new month and a new year. Time changing as day follows night. Not brilliantly helpful but we managed to make it through to 2013. Fireworks were let off in a neighbouring garden, our dog bolted upstairs and quivered by our bed side and a whole New Year began!
We're now able to look back and see strides in our daughter's development. Understanding and expression we didn't think possible. A new year brings possibilities, opportunities and more mountains to climb but I'm determined to sit on the side of my mountain and take a look at the view. Just like numbers going up and down we often think we're going forwards and backwards. However from my view point I can see that there has been a steady progress throughout the challenges of last year.

A Happy New Year to everyone who loves or loathes numbers. Stay peaceful, enjoy the view from your mountain and remember to celebrate your unique contribution to the upwards climb.

Best wishes
Hazel Reeves