While some loans bankers – particularly those covering Africa and the Middle East – had carried on working over the break to get deals done, for others the tranquil time away was already a matter of reminiscence by Monday afternoon.
One French loans official counselled Loan Ranger to keep sight of the more important things in life.
“You must wear the jumper your mother gave you for Christmas with pride,” he said. “Wear it because she gave it to you and whether you like it or not.”
Good words of advice and ones that Loan Ranger resolved to live by in the more testing moments of the year ahead.
Two days later and events in Paris delivered to the western world a jolting, horrific dose of perspective. Groans and complaints about admin were suddenly rendered utterly trivial. Our thoughts were all with the French amid reflection on the privileges and freedoms that we tend to take too much for granted.
Modern life moves fast and and all its bustle, noise and clamour can make us forget ourselves. We must take time where we can to re-engage with our humanity - and take heart from the moments that make us remember it, whether we like them or not.
