With 2015 drawing to a close, I thought while this year has been a massive challenge for me health wise, and all the difficulties that entails, I’m still grateful for a lot of things. So, here’s a list of 15 things I’m grateful for in 2015! In no particular order they are:
1) My Poppy. My dearest little dog. She’s not “just a dog”. She’s my kid with fur. My dearest friend. My closest confidant. And my ever present love.
2) For being able to be a part of Human Nature’s 25th Anniversary Tour, by recording a video for it, and having it included in the intro to their sell out shows across Australia in April and May! Not to mention being able to see the show live too! And yeah, it meant I finally had to make it entirely public how I broke my collarbone the very first time I saw them live!
3) That while my body has struggled monumentally this year, with eneeds (really shitty) joint issues, an upswing in the number of migraines again, and worsening fatigue issues (which is like saying you’re a bit forgetful when you have Alzheimer’s!), I’m still here. I’m still alive and kicking, and enjoying what I can, when I can.
4) For people fighting for recognition, treatment, and hopefully one day a cure for ME/CFS!
5) For my 5yr old cousin declaring that “you can’t be that old, you don’t have any wrinkles!” Made. My. Year. Delightful!
6) For the loving, affectionate nature of my 4yr old cousin, and her amazing gentle and kind nature.
7) That my football club, the footballing and sporting community can come together in times of absolute crisis and disaster, and really band together. It made me believe humanity isn’t entirely spent.
8) For my friends. When you’re made unreliable by illness, a lot of people just think you can’t be bothered with them, when really, nothing could be further from the truth. The ones that have stuck around, or better still, stuck close, know the me that’s often flattened by illness, and can see when I’m going downhill. Despite its name, invisible illnesses are actually rarely entirely invisible. What was it Dumbledore said about one being able to see if they’d just turn on the light?
9) That several of my friends have had beautiful healthy bubs this year, and that there’s another few baking more buns for the first half of 2016!
10) For my spoonie friends. Spread all over the world, you guys are freaking amazing!!!
11) That after years of crazy curly frizzy hair, it’s now almost straight. Definitely makes it easier to style! And for my hairdresser Hannah, who can still get a bloody great style happening with it!
12) For being able to go to a concert with my bestie for the first time since 2003! We saw Robbie Williams this year! The last one before that was Matchbox 20 in 2003! Waaaaaaayyy too long between drinks. So to speak!
13) For music. Music makes my soul come alive. I believe some songs make your being feel complete. (My song for 2015 is Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars! YouTube – Uptown Funk
14) That I live in a country, while far from perfect, is still a democracy, and where I am free.
15) For a really cute grocery delivery guy!! (who I sadly haven’t seen for a few weeks!)
And I have one thing I’m really proud of myself for achieving this year. May 12th is international ME/CFS Awareness Day, a date chosen for it being Florence Nightingale’s birthday, as its believed she suffered from M.E. or an M.E.-like illness this year, with little prodding, I managed to get the amazing staff at the world famous Adelaide Oval to light the stadium up blue, (the awareness colour for ME/CFS) for the night of May 12th! I was overwhelmed beyond words and am still so very grateful to them for doing it to help raise some awareness.
There we go! It wasn’t that hard. I’m grateful for way more things than I’ve listed here. I just wanted to make a mostly lighthearted reflection on the year that was.
Have a Happy and Safe New Year folks. Stay safe, watch your mates if you’re out for the night, and get a cab or public transport home, please, please don’t drink and drive. xx
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