2019…

I’m not sure if this is the best way of chronicling the year that was. It was definitely a year in two halves- before and after accident. I look back on the videos I did daily whilst in hospital and can see how far I’ve come and yet I have a long way to go still. My brain is still experiencing Post Concussion Syndrome meaning I have issues finding words at times and I’m perhaps not as sharp as I used to be. I keep being assured this will heal give it time. Time. Sigh.

1. What did you do in 2019 that you’d never done before?

Spent two months in hospital as an impatient inpatient.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I will update the craftolusions after this. I’m not a big one for resolutions, preferring to take each day as a new day and am willing to start changes when I see they need to be made.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Colleagues and friends.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Aunt Esther, my last remaining close relation on my mother’s side. She was my Step-Great-Grandmother’s niece and my mother’s godmother. I was unable to get to the funeral and still ponder how the year would have been different if I had made it down as I would not have been travelling to work the following day…

5. What countries/states did you visit?

I went to Melbourne three times in the end- to settle Jasper into college in February, to go to the Dean’s Dinner in April and then for Imogen’s graduation in December. I’m still sad I missed Bendigo, but was totally spoilt by the ladies and still cry when I see my blanket!

6. What would you like to have in 2020 that you lacked in 2019?

More endurance so I can walk more than 100m without needing to sit down and can get back to work.

7. What dates from 2019 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

June was a month of highs and lows- A and A’s wedding at the start and the accident at the end.

For those unaware, on 29 June I was travelling to work at a small Emergency Department in an Aboriginal Community near home. As I came around a bend, I lost control of my motorbike- it was slightly damp and I probably hit some oil or gravel, and I came a cropper- I fractured 7 vertebrae, my right radius and my left shoulder we think became dislocated and I tore ligaments and tendons requiring a lot of physiotherapy. My back has metal rods in two places and my wrist has pins and a plate.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Surviving. I literally came about 2mm from death. If I had rolled down the embankment after my accident I would almost certainly have severed my spinal cord either at my neck or lower end of my ribs.

9. What was your biggest failure?

I don’t believe in failures.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Just a bit! See above!

11. Whose behaviour merited celebration?

The way MIML™ has cared for me post accident has been beautiful and has really shown us both how much we mean to each other and what an amazing team we are.

22. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?

The usual suspects…

13. Where did most of your money go?

Bills

14. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

I really loved the varied nature of my job in the first half of the year. I adored working all around the local hospital and out at the Aboriginal Community.

15. Compared to this time last year, are you:?

a) happier or sadder?
Happiness is a state of mind I’ve chosen for sometime now.

b)thinner or fatter?
After the accident I have focussed on becoming healthier and with a damaged back that has meant shedding some fat. I still have a bit to go, but am proud of how far I’ve come so far (over 42kg).

c) richer or poorer?
It’s been a challenge not getting penalty rates, however I am grateful for WorkCover and receiving at least part of my wage.

16. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Knitting

17. What do you wish you’d done less of?

I’m not sure on this one…

18. How did you spend Christmas?

Jasper was home and we ate very well out on the deck.

19. What was your favourite TV program?

Game of Thrones was slightly disappointing, but I still liked it!

Also found some gems on Netflix- Umbrella Academy, Brooklyn 99, The Good Place…

20. Did you make a friend with anyone that you didn’t know this time last year?

Lots of new colleagues and friends in special Facebook groups.

21. What was the best book you read?

I have not been able to read since the accident- I have trouble focussing on large portions of text. I have been enjoying Audible books though and loved ‘Embrace Yourself’ by Taryn Brumfitt and ‘Any Ordinary Day’ by Leigh Sales, especially in the light of my accident.

22. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Not sure really on this…

23. What did you want and get?

Discharged from hospital

24. What did you want and not get?

To return to work

25. What was your favourite film of this year?

I doI haven’t been to the cinema this year- I don’t know if I could physically sit through a movie, but have enjoyed watching all sorts of films on Netflix.

26. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I was 47 and I was in hospital in excruciating pain from a pseudo-blockage in my intestine. Liquid diets meant no birthday cake!

27. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

I would love to have travelled more

28. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2019?

Nighties and PJs

29. What kept you sane?

MIML™ and mindfulness and talking with friends.

30. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

I’ve still got a soft spot for Colin Firth!

31. What political issue stirred you the most?

So many! I am trying to sit back though and act in a way I would like others to act- practicing kindness.

32. Who did you miss?

It’s strange being empty nesters, but I still miss I&J!

33. Who was the best new person you met?

My back surgeon?

34. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2019.

You are not invincible!

35. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

Time, time time, see what’s become of me
While I looked around for my possibilities

I was so hard to please
Don’t look around
The leaves are brown
And the sky is a hazy shade of winter

Hear the Salvation Army band
Down by the riverside’s, there’s bound to be a better ride
Than what you’ve got planned

Carry your cup in your hand
And look around
Leaves are brown, now
And the sky is a hazy shade of winter

Hang on to your hopes, my friend
That’s an easy thing to say
But if your hopes should pass away
Simply pretend that you can build them again
Look around
The grass is high
The fields are ripe
It’s the springtime of my life

Seasons change with the scenery
Weaving time in a tapestry
Won’t you stop and remember me
At any convenient time?
Funny how my memory skips while looking over manuscripts
Of unpublished rhyme
Drinking my vodka and lime
I look around
Leaves are brown, now
And the sky is a hazy shade of winter
Look around
Leaves are brown
There’s a patch of snow on the ground
Look around
Leaves are brown
There’s a patch of snow on the ground
Look around
Leaves are brown
There’s a patch of snow on the ground

– Paul Simon