This is a photo from 3 years ago. I stumbled across it while looking for some old climbing ones. Another typical Yorkshire August day – all four seasons in one day. It got me thinking – what’s the same and what’s changed in those 1000 odd days. See that’s what a professional accountancy qualification can do for you – I’m good at those complicated adding up calculations.

THINGS WHICH ARE THE SAME

  • Getting no dyslexia support from school,
  • Getting no Aspergers support or accommodations from school,
  • Still bereaved,
  • Still a single parent,
  • Still a metal head at heart,
  • Hawklad is still a lovely character,
  • No holidays, no Switzerland,
  • Pets causing chaos,
  • My football team is still useless,
  • Still see myself as European,
  • Brexit is still a shambles and a monumental exercise of self destruction,
  • Vegetarianism,
  • Can’t cook,
  • Still exercising,
  • Still 5ft 10 and a half (don’t forget the half – it takes me beyond average height),
  • Still not climbing,
  • Still can’t work out the TV remote control,
  • The garden is still a mess,
  • Still don’t like U2,
  • Still haven’t seen Avatar without falling asleep,
  • Haven’t seen my brother even though we live only 50 miles apart,
  • The garden gate still needs fixing,
  • The washing machine is still possessed,
  • Still having bought myself that ginormous telescope,
  • The blog is still going,
  • Still writing about the same stuff,
  • Still waiting for official recognition of my stellar poetry skills,
  • Still haven’t won the lottery,
  • Still losing my car keys.

THINGS THAT HAVE CHANGED FOR THE WORSE

  • As Hawklad has reached the teenage stage many of the health support packages have been removed,
  • The waiting list to see The Paediatrician is now approaching 2 years,
  • A pesky pandemic,
  • Hawklads anxiety levels,
  • Hawklads isolation from the world and other kids his age,
  • Due to circumstances had to stop running,
  • Boris,
  • Trumps antics,
  • Might be a metal head but the days of skin tight jeans have gone,
  • Lost a couple of much loved pets,
  • Don’t really see my sisters anymore,
  • School’s view of Hawklad – definitely revising his perceived ability levels downwards,
  • The number of times I have to shout or pull my hair out at school is rising,
  • I’m physically meeting less people,
  • The list of things on the ‘need sorting out when funds are available‘ is growing.

THINGS THAT HAVE CHANGED FOR THE BETTER

  • Hawklad understands himself and his Aspergers much better now,
  • Hawklad is overcoming his dyslexia,
  • I understand now that it’s just as ok to Laugh as it is to Cry, YES it’s ok to live,
  • Friendship
  • Close Friendships,
  • Faith,
  • Love,
  • Happiness,
  • One step closer to home schooling (hopefully),
  • My dress sense – I finally chucked out some of my pink climbing shirts.

You might be thinking that looking at the relative number of entries on these lists that the last 1000 odd days have been generally bad. But look at some of those things on the last list. It’s not about quantity it’s about quality. Yep looking at that last list, over the last 1000 odd days we have challenges but some really good stuff has still happened. That’s why there is always hope.

80 thoughts on “1000 odd days”

  3. Yep, some really good stuff HAS happened. Hey, I didn’t give you recognition of your stellar poetry skills? 😮 Wow, I am slipping. And here I thought I was making some progress. 😀 Maybe I need some lists. Yeah… Probably that’s what I need. But I’m not as skilled at making lists as you are. Nope… nobody makes lists as well as Superdad. And that poetry… yes, stellar. 😀 I have to get my act together. 😊

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply

      1. Hmmmm… I get that. I am good at making schedules and not sticking to them. But then the last time I tried to conquer that venture I don’t think I was ready. I think I was trying to skip some steps… I’m trying to work out another schedule for myself. It’s not going so well this week, but I did realize some things… and I will leave it at that till Monday, so that you can enjoy the rest of your comments without me spamming your blog. ☺

        Liked by 2 people

      1. Yeah… better than smiling… I’m laughing. What is in this tea? 😀 Oh wait… that sounds bad. There is nothing in my tea. It was a joke. She is in a mood today……..

        Liked by 1 person

  7. The pink shirt will match those pink socks and blue leggings. A real rock star! I like your message of hope. I was just reading another post about the same feeling. I’ve got good vibes now. Really pretty photo!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

      1. A knife to my heart…. Don’t tell my man. He luvs pink!
        And about dyslexia – I learned, over the years, to overcome. Even starting my blog and having to read other blogs was a great challenge for me. However, today I can, without the brain drain! I even learned to spell as the years went by… haha.
        Yep; there’s always hope!

        Liked by 2 people

      3. One of my grandsons, who is autistic and didn’t speak until nearly six was given that diagnosis as a life sentence. Today, at 21, he has a part-time job, speaks eloquently (though has to work hard to pronounce really well, and does) has had a lovely girlfriend for a few months now, takes her out to lunch, etc., socialises with other friends, mainly those on the spectrum, and is the most well mannered, gorgeous young man – ever.
        Naturally, I’m a little biased. However, I couldn’t be more proud of his achievements!

        Liked by 1 person

  11. Yes you have conquered mountains but gradually. Your lad is learning strategies to cope with Dyslexia and his Aspergers and for some teenagers the improved confidence makes life so much more worthwhile. Perhaps lockdown has given reassurance and a life which is calmer. You have some good things going.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

  12. I love that picture. There’s a rainbow coming down from the cloud? 💃🏼I’m making squeals on Zeus can hear, and he doesn’t like it😂

    I like the 3rd point on the last list. Very much so Kermit the Superdad Muppet, aka Gary.😆
    💌

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  14. Been trying to “like” your post but no indication that it has worked. They are quite the lists, but I am so glad there have been some positive things happening in your life and in your son’s life.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

  15. A really good post and from the viewpoint of lists and list making although they are intense I would suggest that the first 2 lists of change a lot of the things on them are things that are out of your control.
    The list of positive changes are totally different inasmuch as they are things that have a positive impact on your life and as you observed the quality of those changes are truly beneficial.
    I wish you well on your continued journey of change.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

  16. Some great things on those lists my friend. Things that have changed for the worse are mostly events and circumstances you could not control. The ‘for the better’ list is things that will help you deal with those events and circumstances in the long run.

    I feel kind of sad the pink climbing shirts had to go though. Unique and different is good remember x

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

  20. I don’t understand your Brexit… it’s all still Europe… didn’t change how I see, just how you live, I guess? From what I know of it – I think is not good idea but ya know … whatever

    There are people here who fly flags of “the great state of Jefferson” 🤨🙄😄😄 those are the people who want to divide California into another state called Jefferson lol 😄😄🙄 Oh my god! Whatever

    I dunno about the metal part – but oh thank god no more skin tight jeans on men lol 😄😄 sorry – it makes me laugh though

    Awwwww ❤️❤️❤️ yes always always always hope. I’m so glad you have bright spots and laughter… laughter saved my life all these years ❤️ that’s what made me strong!! 💪

    I had tears too but ya know… if you make me laugh, the tears go away. ✌️

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

Leave a comment