Passing grey clouds

For the past four years I have been steadily chipping away at my Master’s degree in International Development. Over the four years there have been phases where obtaining this degree has proved extraordinarily challenging. One such period was the three weeks after my daughter’s birth. My daughter was born prematurely and was required to stay in the special care nursery. My husband and I were sent home and each day for three weeks we would travel to the hospital and back again, to spend as much time as we could with her. It was the hardest and lowest point in my life to date, but looking back on it now, I wouldn’t have had it any other way. That time taught me so much about strength, courage, conviction and what really matters in life. If I hadn’t gone through this I would have never even dared to attain my dream of becoming an author.

While I was learning these crucial lessons I was also in the middle of my degree. I was emotionally and physically exhausted. I was running on empty and despite the fact, I remember taking my laptop to the hospital and working on my assessments between feedings. The nurses and those who knew what I was doing thought it was madness but at a time where I was feeling so lost and confused my study actually helped me through. Being able to produce reports and essays gave me a strange sense of control when I honestly felt I had none. Through my research for my course I was presented with facts which gave order to my jumbled mind. I was also gaining knowledge of the world from different perspectives which astutely filled me with some hope when I needed it. Completing my course during this testing personal period was a standout moment of my degree.

The month of October has also been a challenging one in regards to my study. I was mid-way through the last unit of my degree, my thesis. As you may have discovered through my previous blog posts this year, I have been grappling with 2017. It hasn’t been the most smoothest year but it has definitely been one that has instilled in me a great deal of personal understanding. As I approached and wrote my thesis (that felt like it was never ending) I was met with a few setbacks (true to the year I was having) but something within me finally clicked. I reflected back on the challenging phase I had after my daughter’s birth and started to reset my thoughts, I could do this! Handing in my thesis, I realised just how far I had come, I felt a huge weight lift from my shoulders, the big grey cloud hovering around me (just like in Anne Walkers incredible picture book, Mr Huff) started to lessen. I immediately flipped the switch and started to reclaim my authentic, positive self, in the words on Anne Walker, “The day was cloudy, with a chance of sunshine”.

The month of October was the beginning of a transformation. I had observed how much I had grown through the year and the years behind me. Even though I felt I had stood still in some ways, I began to see all the rays of light, the magical moments that shone through the clouds of 2017. Although 2017 has seemed like an uphill road I was finally reaching the top of the hill. I feel I am Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz and everything is in technicolour now! I am ready for November.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MONTH

When you get to spend the afternoon presenting awards to some very talented children (authors themselves) with the incredible Jackie French…another magical moment! It was so special to be part of the CBCA ACT Branch Make Your Own Story Book Awards event. Thank you to the team! ⭐️ 📚✨

Adventure Sunday🌞 Sherlock’s Adventures…. 🐶