What can I tell you about me ?

Like most of us, I have been a Humanist for many years, long before I had heard about Humanists UK. It was when my husband and I were looking for a wedding ceremony that would fit with our ethos of life that we stumbled across humanism.

We had a beautiful ceremony on a remote beach in January where there were just the two of us, Annie, our celebrant, Dave the photographer and Iain the Piper who both doubled up as witnesses. For us it was perfect and about as far away from any other wedding we had ever been to as we could ever imagine – the seed was sown.

Life is not always easy and like everyone else we have had our fair share of life experiences along the way but what always pulls us through are the people. The people I have met, the experiences we have shared and the life stories I have heard caused me to think of all the rituals and celebrations that pepper our lives. The births, the namings, the meetings, the falling in loves, the weddings, the falling out of loves, the second time arounds, the vow renewals, the partings, the loss, the endings. The importance of all those moments and how with a human centred approach they could be so much more memorable, meaningful and significant. I contacted Humanists UK to look into becoming a celebrant and well, reader, here we are.

To be a part of these celebrations is an honour and a privilege that I treasure. I love to weave the stories, the music, the intangible essence of a personality (or two) into something real that can be shared and remembered.

Whilst not weaving stories from intangible threads I do live in the real world with my husband and dogs. My working life began in Law, moved through motherhood into Canine Behaviour and Training, from there into Customer Service and we now run our own business, Church Gallery, in Kirkby Stephen. Apparently I am also a runner although I find that difficult to believe as the mother who was more than happy to write my children “a note” – if requested –  to excuse them from sports day.

What has life taught me ?

Take the chance, sing in the supermarket, eat the cake, dance as though no-one is watching and live, really live, as tomorrow is not promised.