What Are 5 Things You’re Grateful For Today??
When I got the email telling me what the prompt was for today, I had just had a flashback and recognising what I’m grateful for really helped to calm me down and helped me to go to sleep.
1 – I’m grateful that I can breathe independently. Having gone from breathing normally to then being put on a ventilator within a few days, is bloody terrifying. After being on a ventilator for almost a month, it was daunting to imagine life without it.
I remember whilst I was being weaned off it that my anxiety was through the roof. I just didn’t know what to expect, I didn’t know what to do. It’s almost 4 years since it all happened and there’s not a day that goes by where I’m not immensely grateful for each breath.
2. I’m grateful for the useful hearing I have. I can hear better when there is no background noise when people speak slowly and clearly whilst facing me. I’m so grateful to be able to hear Daisy saying “Mum” when she’s close to me. I can hear her laugh, which fills my heart with so much joy.
The only thing I really miss is listening to music. There are two pieces of music that gave me goosebumps every time I listened to them, which were An Ending by Brian Eno, and the Avengers theme. No lyrics in both, just really powerful compositions.
3. I’m grateful for the useful vision I have. I have central vision loss which means when I look straight at something, the middle/centre is very blurry. For example, if I was to look at your face, I wouldn’t be able to see the features of your face unless you were 15/20cm away from me.
Nothing makes me happier than seeing Daisy’s face, and all of her beautiful features. We both do something every morning, I can’t remember how it started but when she has finished her breakfast, we look out of the window, wave, and say “Hello world”.
She does it without me prompting her and I guess it’s our way of being thankful that we can see what we see, hear what we hear, and anything else.
4. I’m grateful for Ewan. For sticking by me through everything. For choosing to stay when he was given the choice to leave. For believing in me when I don’t. He’ll always drive me up the wall with his untidiness but I’m just so grateful that he’s here, with me and Daisy, and loves us both unconditionally.
5. I’m grateful for my Mum. She’s taken on the role of both parents while growing up. No, she’s not perfect, but what person is? But one thing is for sure, she did her damnedest to do the best she could for us. She doesn’t say “I love you” but her actions always speak volumes.
Daisy is absolutely besotted with Mum, sometimes I think she loves her more than me!
As I’m feeling very grateful, I’m going to add a few more…
6. I’m grateful to the NHS for saving my life more than once. Those 9 months I stayed in hospital and rehab could have been the absolute worst, but there were so many people that made me happy while there, so much so I didn’t want to leave!
There are too many people to name but to the Yorkshire Git (ex PT), Grace, Sophie, Erica, Julie, Abbie, Megan, Rachel, Alice, Beth, Tracey, Alex, and even Will. I love and miss you all so much and I know I haven’t named everyone but each and every one of you holds a special place in my heart. You guys are the real superheroes!
7. I’m grateful to be living during the same timeline as Tom Hiddleston. Come on, what did you expect?
8. I’m grateful to YOU, the reader, follower, supporter, blogger-friend that you’ve helped me to find my voice, helped me to accept who I am and like me for who I am. The fact that you spend time reading what I write is just… out of this world. You’re very special to me and always will be.
What are 5 (or 8) things you’re grateful for today?
