Turning 70 made me look back at one of the best gifts I’ve ever received. This is the story of how an old patio became my summer house, a courtyard garden and my own little oasis.

Since returning from Europe, I’ve been looking at my to-do list differently. Instead of asking what I’d most enjoy doing today, I’ve started asking which choice will leave me feeling most satisfied by the end of it. It’s a small change in thinking, but it’s made a surprising difference.

We spend so much time thinking about what’s next that we can forget to notice what’s already here. Sometimes the richest moments are right in front of us.