A Spoonful of Fear

I overheard a child the other day talking about his dad to his sibling.

He started by saying “There’s a difference between mum and dad when they tell you off".

Growing up we had the “wait until your father gets home” repeatedly said to us when, in fact, the one we were primarily worried about upsetting was mum.
Dad was the laid back one.

Generosity

I’m stubborn and proud.

These qualities were drummed into me as much as manners were.

When I first started having health issues and the first signs of Muscular Dystrophy started showing upon my body I was already installed with these qualities.

Despite this, the first prognosis for my health condition was not good. At the age of 13 my parents were told that I wouldn’t reach my 16th birthday.

A few years pass and the prognosis extended to 18. Subsequently, it was drummed into me to leave a “legacy” that proved I was more than my health and I should achieve all I could with the little time I did.

I did exactly that.

I threw myself into my schooling and education and gained good qualifications.

The years went on. The prognosis changed repeatedly and I tackled it.
It was a battle.

I get told one thing and I had to beat it.

My Art Work 2019

2019 has been full of challenges, battles and negativity for us as a family.

It seemed that with every bit of good we got faced with something 10 times the negative.

It’s weird looking back on the year and seeing those moments and knowing that we were just trying to hold on.

I was keen though to find something for me, something I enjoy and try to use that to “reclaim" those areas that I lost.

Art has always been that outlet for me.

I find that I can get lost in the detail. I become absorbed in every mark that is made and often find that hours can fly by.

So, despite the hassle this year, I have managed to find time to sit and do my art work.