This November marks the start of our fifth Thanksgiving season in England, bringing back memories of a fabulous feast Cathy prepared in our Garden Flat four years ago. We were fortunate to celebrate with Sally, Taylor, some of their friends; Taylor’s mother and sister; as well as several special women of Richmond. Among those women were our dear friend Regina Baraldi, our landlady, Mrs Vicky Guiton, and Vicky’s talented daughter, Alex Guiton.
WPW: Mrs Vicky Guiton
Accordingly, on Woman Power Wednesday, I want to celebrate Vicky. As the article below highlights, those who walk the slopes of Richmond Hill often notice a splash of colour, a tilt of a hat, or a pair of silver gloves shimmering in the sun — and immediately recognise someone unique and special.
A woman of unmistakable style and substance, Vicky has always believed that life is too short — and far too interesting — to fade into the background. Whether she’s pairing lace gloves with a statement headpiece or tending the blooms in her beloved back garden, she carries herself with a grace that is equal parts wit and wonder.
In her ‘reaching’ years, Vicky still radiates curiosity. A former lecturer and interior designer, she now spends her days learning Russian and exploring whatever sparks her imagination next.
“I can’t think why older women want to disappear into the background,” she once said. “They should be doing the reverse.”
She does exactly that — proving that confidence, curiosity, and a touch of flair never go out of style.
Vive la différence, indeed.
I recently shared an excerpt of my book, RELEVANCE: A gPage Turner on a Slippery Subject (working title), with Vicky. Her feedback was appreciated and deeply thoughtful.
Your exploration of how to remain ‘Relevant’ in our older years is very poignant. The way you communicate your deeply felt quest for finding answers to this most significant question is to be applauded! You do so by presenting us with a very personal and intimate account of your life and experiences, including family and business relationships, as well as joyful and sad times, and not to mention, personal emotional traumas. It certainly takes a great deal of courage to discuss it with such openness and honesty.
I loved your reference to ‘Trees’ and their contribution to our well-being and happiness. You said, ‘The more important question is not where I have been but what I have learned.’ I completely identify with this, and it reminds me of a poem called ‘Ithaka’ written by the Greek poet Cavafy.
The poem uses Odysseus’ fabled journey to his home, the island of Ithaca, as a metaphor for life’s experiences – it suggests that the knowledge, wisdom, and experience gained along the way are the true rewards, not the final arrival.
I embrace so many of your ideas, such as that Relevance is slippery and that we need to grow, despite life’s vicissitudes, and to be able to re-invent ourselves to remain Relevant. Thank you so much for sharing your excellent narrative with me- it’s truly inspirational!
Keep on writing…
