Amanda Wheal, 59, lives in Essex.
‘Congratulations!’ I wrote, under the social media post. It was August 2021, and James and Paige, former pupils of mine, had announced their engagement on Instagram. When they got in touch a few weeks later to ask me to marry them, it was the icing on the cake.
I’d spent over 30 years as a secondary school teacher and loved my job. But in 2018, when I wondered if there were new things I could try in life, I told my brother Roger, then 65, I was thinking of a change. He was my confidant and an inspiration – and had worked all over the world as an architectural designer. ‘Life is short,’ he’d told me. ‘You have to take a chance on yourself.’
Tragically, this was one of our last conversations, as he died unexpectedly in November 2018. Roger wasn’t religious, so we booked a celebrant, Jim Hoggart of Vox Celebrants, for his funeral. It fell to me to write the eulogy, and when I struggled, Jim was a great support.
On the day of the funeral in December, seeing the comfort the ceremony brought my family, I suddenly wondered whether this could be the career change I’d been looking for. Knowing I was in grief, I set myself a goal. If I still felt the same way by the summer, I’d investigate further.
That July, I contacted Jim, who recommended a training course. It was mainly distance learning and I realised I could do it alongside my day job. Eighteen months on, the course was complete and I retired from teaching.
Esta historia es de la edición February 28, 2023 de WOMAN'S WEEKLY.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición February 28, 2023 de WOMAN'S WEEKLY.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Patchwork PROJECTS
Easy ideas to show off English paper-piecing techniques
Night train to BERLIN
Germany's exciting and varied capital is now reachable by train from the UK
French FANCY
Raymond Blanc's right-hand man, Benoit Blin's favourite bakes
Are you missing out on BENEFITS?
Here's how to find out what you are eligible for
TRAY bien
All-in-one tray bakes, packed with flavour
We took a grown-up GAP YEAR!
Who says taking time out is just for students?
'I'm obsessed with reality TV!'
THIS WEEK'S COLUMNIST Author and presenter Louise Minchin
What to eat and do for A HEALTHIER GUT
Fix those problems and boost your wellbeing
Picture palaces
In an age of cinema complexes, we celebrate five historic and beautiful picture houses that have stood the test of time
'My diet during Bake Off is cake and alcohol!'
Dame Prue Leith on the popular baking contest