16. Dec, 2014

Reflections

As 2014 draws to a close and while we are all busy making plans to celebrate Christmas and the beginning of a new year, I can’t help but reflect on the year that was…

It has been a year full of love, loss, hardship and personal challenges and I am not just speaking only of my journey but also those of the people I love.

My year began with the devastating loss of our treasured family pet, our dog Indy. This was followed closely by a second honeymoon of sorts with my wonderful husband and life partner, and finally after a long time in emotional limbo I reconnected with him, life and nature. I was fortunate to get the opportunity to swim with wild dolphins and while this is just another day at the office for some, for me it was an item on my bucket list.

On Easter Saturday my brave son Joshua faced the biggest challenge of his young life when his mouth and upper jaw was shattered in a kneeboarding accident. Josh has met this hardship head-on with little complaint and immense courage. We are so proud of him!

I reignited contact with some wonderful people who I hold dear to my heart, and have been buoyed by the continual support of my family and friends.

My journey of self discovery is on-going as my life-saving therapist continues to gently open my eyes to self appreciation, self worth and self love - all things too cruelly snatched away by the ravages of mental illness! The process of recovery and healing takes time, patience and persistence by sufferers and carers alike.

Many of you have supported me by just reading my blog and encouraging me with personal messages about my writing and experiences. Some of you have also commented on my seemingly brave decision to go public with this blog by exposing myself to the possible “slings and arrows” of stigma associated with this illness.

I have opened my heart and soul to you! I have bared my inner core and have had nothing but positive and unwavering support and encouragement and I thank you from the bottom of my heart! I do also know that some people can be uncomfortable with this much honesty and transparency, but I understand and console myself with the thought that their apprehension and uneasiness may be more about their journey and less about my own.

Wow! I am growing and learning!

Living with mental illness often feels like you exist with a void in your heart that is irreparable. Your support has helped to top up the sink hole in my soul!

I am pondering as to whether to continue writing my blog; I will see what next year brings! Whether you are a sufferer of mental illness or have been touched by it in some other way, just taking the time to care and to read my story is helping to stop the stigma!

Merry Christmas to you all and best wishes for a healthy and happy 2015!