My message this week is two-fold, firstly to give you an update on George, to thank you for your love and support as well as to encourage you to share your story with me on this platform.
My heart is filled with gratitude.
A heartfelt thank you my dear friends, for your kindness, love and assistance during a very trying season in our lives, thankfully George is going from strength to strength and improving on a daily basis.
George’s operation and subsequent recovery highlighted the importance of family and being part of a huge Greek family is such a wonderful gift and a blessing. George’s uncle and aunt drove all the way from King Williamstown to visit George for an hour, and then they drove home.
Now that’s love…..
I could not have managed any of this without the support of my sister Vanessa and my cousin William. I am very grateful to them for creating safe spaces for me to have the odd meltdown as well as making me laugh long and hard especially when refilling the birdfeeders William says : “Now listen here you little losers, it time you paid board and lodging…..”
William, Jacqui and Candice thank you for sharing your stories with us. Each story offered deep insights, they were delightful, as well as being thoughtful and real.
I believe that sharing stories is an integral part of life; our stories shape us, they serve as a compass that guides us in living in the moment and they can assist us in navigating our future. Our stories help us to learn about and from each other. They encourage us, as well as give us strength to face and overcome obstacles and challenges. We realize that we are not alone in this journey called life. There are moments of sheer joy like sunrise and sunset, examining flowers, watching bees and feeding wild birds that bring delight and pleasure, and then there are moments that are difficult and uncomfortable.
Life is just darn scary at times – Crime, an inept government that has failed us as well as dealing with a crumbling infrastructure on a daily basis affects all of us in a very real way.
Therefore stories, ours and others, give us courage to face issues, be they health, financial, the death of a loved one or spouse and they bring us joy in celebrating happy occasions. Through the telling and retelling of our stories we celebrate our friendships with folk whom we love and are assured that they, in turn love us. Our stories are important – we are heard; we learn to value ourselves and others as they are cathartic and free us of negative self-talk.
Sharing my stories with you has been such an exciting and wonderful journey for me, it has made me realize that life offers us new experiences, lessons to learn and stories to share.
All of us have a story or two to tell and share, therefore, I would like to encourage, as well as invite you to use this space to tell your story.
2 comments
Jacqui
I always love to read your blog posts Gail. So glad George is making good process.
At times like this I think we are facing our vulnerabilities as well as our resilience & courage all at the same time. The vulnerability of our physical bodies, our emotional responses to illness or other physical challenges as well as the impact this has on our mental health. Some days are good while others not really.
The last 18 months I have been challenged by a massive repair to my ankle after a serious fall, in a cast and using a walker for 7 weeks, then as soon as the cast came off, trusting my ankle to take my body weight as I took my first proper steps in 7 weeks.
Relying on other people for basic things, like brining you water, coffee, meals, making sure you manage to wash properly and change clothes. It is quite scary and humbling.
At the same time I faced challenges with my lower back and despite our best efforts to treat it conservatively, found myself having to undergo major back surgery, back to relying on others.
The first time I turned on my side after that surgery, the pain was beyond what I could have ever imagined. But I had to get up and walk the very next day. So I gritted my teeth and did what needed to be done to get out of bed.
Our bodies are amazing. Vulnerable when hurt and healing, while at the same time so strong and able to heal.
It has been a time filled with both massive frustration and amazing determination to get my whole life back. Some days I’ve wondered if things will ever be normal again, but there’s that little voice in the back of my mind that keeps saying “Yes!!”
It’s been a time of learning and reflection. I’ve had amazing love and support from family and friends.
I am often reminded of the quote by Albert Camus, “In the midst of Winter, I found there was, within me, and invincible Sunmer”
All of our journeys are different and the emotions and thoughts are all valid for each of us.
We realise how, in an instant, life can change.
Sending much love to you and George
Gail Charalambous
Darling Jackie, I am so grateful our paths crossed and that we have become friends. You are truly an inspiration, delightful, deep and caring.