Amidst a glimmer of sunshine, the dog and I went for a walk.
Not much to see.
Rather a lot of litter.
But when we looked closely, there were the signs of hope.
Millie's eye is better. Just as well, given the song and dance created at eye-drop time.
Everything moves on.
It's been a whole three years since I went off sick from work, in a state that I can hardly bear to think about: did I really hold down a responsible position in such physical and emotional exhaustion? It would be a further nine months of heartache before I was allowed to retire.
I feel like a different person nowadays. Not my old self, but a new self, stronger, calmer, grounded. Signs of hope at every turn.
17 comments:
I'm so glad you have recovered your 'self' after such a gruelling time, and looking at those hopeful little signs of springiness is a tonic. When I look up from the screen as I type I see the greyest, wettest, coldest scene, so it's cheering to think of catkins and daffodils.
The ground here is covered by a thick blanket that won't completely disappear until April, so it's good to see some evidence of renewal!
I hope you're proud of what you've achieved, both "before" and "after"; you're a tough old bird! ;-)
Such apt words and images, glad you are feeling strong.
I love that little dog coat.
Well, I, for one, am glad that you no longer have to trudge off to work... so are/is?... all the furry gang! We're all happy that you are happy at home. Me too. Actually,.....if I had never had to go to work in my whole life I would have been happy.
I'll have to enjoy greenery vicariously for many months yet. This morning it is crisp, sunny and a nippy -19 C ........
I always worry about "premature" spring growth, but nature always knows better than I do. Very glad to hear you're feeling better - our natures always benefit from a better quality of life.
Sorry if you've covered this ad nauseum before, but why is the the dog only referred to as "the dog"? He is a cutey and quite stylin' with that sweater!
Stress of any kind is exhausting and work-induced stress is very hard to cope with . So good that you've reached high ground again and have the time and peace to enjoy your life .
And I'm always delighted with the snippets you share with us !
P.S. I can sympathise with Millie . Some eye drops I had a few years ago stung ferociously .
Re: Kate on Clinton . Because he's not a cat ?
Oooh, you waspish commenter you, S&S! You're absolutely right of course.... Give me cats any day.
Kate, he's also not a he, but a little middle-aged Yorkie I inherited from my mother. I'm fond of her, but I can't summon the depths of feeling that I have for my cats, so she gets lots of compensatory attention! She's called Tosca. It's a conceit not to name her on my blog, really.
Thank you for sending us some virtual spring. Those bulbs would be much taller in Devon ... now there's a thought!
Do you have an annual celebration of your freedom, a bit like the queen's official birthday?
Always a fresh start possible, that's the lovely thing about spring.
Paddy Paws: I certainly do! I was told I could retire on Nov. 5th after a terrifying meeting with the independent doctor, who turned out to be a sweetie. So every year. all those fireworks and bonfires are for ME!
We don't need to remind you to 'remember, remember' then! Happy year four!
Must dash, need to catch up on the carnage that is Midsomer.
Daffodils, not in my little patch of Devon. They are not showing much enthusiasm at all, unlike the snowdrops which are glorious, and quite dismissive of the winter gloom. I am more of a daff myself, roll on the end of February! OllieV
Happy to hear that Millie's eye is healing. Poor kitty... and poor you, having to administer drops.
I was just thinking the other day how happy I am to be free of the stresses of the workplace.
I knew someone with a little dog called Tosca. A terrifying creature who used to regularly be reported to the police for harrassing passers by. Her owner, a French lady (!) only ever used to say 'Oh, Tosca' and sigh. All mouth and no trousers really.
Perhaps having such a grand name conveys some attitude?
It took me a long time to get my life and mind settled after working outside the home for so long. It has been six years now and I am so happy on top of my mountain. I did not miss the work itself, but missed the campus activity and especially my graduate students for a long, long time. But now, I can honestly say that I am a completely different person. If I have nine lives, like a cat, then this is about my eighth and best!
Here's to new springs and new selves!
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