It’s taken me a while to get in the Christmas spirit this year. 500+ days in limbo as a non-British EEA citizen. The orange guy. It’s just been hard to feel sparkly. But of course, sparkly or not, DD has a long schedule of events where she’s performing, and last night was one of them.
In true DD style, she announces a few short hours before the event that it would be nice if I was there. So there I was. Watching her sing and read a poem in a church which has stood since 1445 was something else. Dear reader, you will be so proud to note I did not cry, as is my tradition.
I just sat, and listened, as she read Mick Gowar’s Christmas Thank-Yous to laughter and applause. (Google it: English humour at its best.) I felt like a ‘normal’ parent. No overwhelming rush of desperate gratitude that she’s alive, functioning, talking. Just a normal amount of pride and affection. It’s the best gift ever. To finally have the stone of guilt and relief lifted off my chest.
It’s taken almost 12 years, and I’m sure I’ll have small moments of back-sliding when she gets ill, but for now, I’m all about the joy!
Yaayyyy! Joy, Joy, Joy! Live life to its fullest, and don’t look back at all …. Your DD is an angel to be proud of. Enjoy your festive season with love. You all deserve the good things that life can offer you.
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That’s fabulous to hear – thank you for sharing your journey with us – feel like I’m one of the family – almost 🙂 Wishing you a wonderful Christmas and all the best for a peaceful and prosperous 2018 🙂 x
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Wonderful!
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