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.
Denne historien er fra February 28, 2023-utgaven av WOMAN'S WEEKLY.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra February 28, 2023-utgaven av WOMAN'S WEEKLY.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
10 OF THE BEST Buys for CHARITY
Look great and support Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October
How to HAGGLE
Save those £££s by plucking up the courage to negotiate
Your wellbeing
LATEST HEALTH SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR MIND AND BODY
Here to help
LET COUNSELLOR KEREN LIGHTEN YOUR LOAD
Good to GLOW
Plant your bulbs now for a lovely bright start to spring
Painted VASES
Prettify empty jars and bottles with this quick craft project
Escape to OXFORD
Delve into the city's rich cultural heritage for a wonderful weekend
Sail through menopause WITHOUT WEIGHT GAIN!
Middle-aged spread may seem inevitable - but it really doesn't have to be
Woodland wonders
When you go down to the woods, you'll find a whole new world teeming with life
'We should all be dancing'
Singer and actor Toyah Willcox on overcoming adversity, ageing and Strictly Come Dancing