Almost exactly ten years ago I discharged myself from post-surgery rehab and took a position as a nanny on the other side of the world.
The previous four years had consisted heavily of hospital appointments, tests, scans, treatments and two major operations, for what eventually transpired to be a rare muscular-skeletal condition.
Sadly, one of the operations damaged a nerve and left me unable to use my right thumb - I worked so hard in hand therapy for over a year but decided I just needed to harness the flight of my flight fight (I had no more fight to give).
The four years had not only taken their toll physically but also mentally; I’d seen family and friends secure dream jobs and promotions, get married, have children and display all kinds of success. Of course I celebrated with them but it was difficult to feel I was having to surrender control of my life to the unknown.
I realise now, however, that I had also been successful - not in a way that could be represented by anything tangible like a certificate, or be quantifiable with a pay rise, or be celebrated in a conventional way - but on a personal level, I had overcome a very difficult time and pulled myself through the other side.
The beautiful twins I had the honour of taking care of in Australia were also facing every day with immense courage, having lost their mother at a very young age. Something unfathomable for most, making every day a hurdle not always necessarily acknowledged by society.
They gave me so much inspiration and perspective. And most of all they taught me how to love - which was powerfully healing in itself.
This part of my life gave rainbows a special meaning; the twins believed that, every time a rainbow appeared, their mother was sending love. As I wear the rainbow sarong that had once been a wall-hanging in my Airlie Beach apartment, I acknowledge that this pivotal chapter will always be a part of me, and was perhaps the most humbling of my life.
The muscular-skeletal issues are possibly now worse than ever, but I wouldn’t change a thing if it would mean not being who or where I am today, with a lovely little family by my side.
I think, what I am saying is, success comes in all shapes and sizes. Wouldn’t it be marvellous if we could give a little more focus to learning the art of self-validation regarding the internal battles that we fight quietly in the background of life?
And teach our children to do the same.
#mentalhealth #childrensmentalhealthweek #selfvalidation #personalgrowth #validation #selfworth #success #selflove #katiehopperwriter
