Today I am linking up with the lovely Kate to talk out the Eclipse 2015; its weird just like Kate reads my mind with these questions. So here goes.
- How have you changed since the last total eclipse of the sun in August 1999?
I remember the last eclipse like it was yesterday, I remember being stood on the roof terrace of Uppercut hair salon in Romford Essex with one of my best friends Donna, and all the rest of the team, and we were so excited. I was 28 at the time and Chris and I were just about to move house. We had our beautiful dog Edward who was at the time our baby (well mine), and had a carefree life, great careers and going out and doing exactly what we wanted in life. It was all very exciting.
When I look at me back then there are things that are still constant in my life, Chris and I are still very happily married, we still have our wonderful families and Donna, Darren and their children are very much a huge part of our family life, and I imagine and hope will always be.
But so much has changed, I would have never thought that we would be living happily back in the north of England, with no intention of ever-moving away.
We now have our two wonderful boys, who are so amazing. But do you know if some one had told me before they came into our lives that one of them would have a long-term health condition I would have been devastated. Yet here we are living and dealing with type 1 diabetes and although it’s not ideal, we have managed.
I also would never have seen myself as being the adventurous Mum I am, I was girly and loved pink ha ha, how I have changed. And I am glad to say we still seem to have a fantastic lifestyle and get to go out and travel, we just take our crazy boys along, who really are open to anything.
Several relatives are sadly no longer with us and very much missed, but there are lots of new little people who make those losses bearable, I just wish they could have all met somewhere along the way.
We sadly lost Edward the dog, but we were lucky he lived to the ripe old age of 17, and of course after a couple of years our little bear bounded into our life, who actually thinks he is a real baby.
Technology has changed hugely, remember dial-up connection ha ha. I can’t imagine life without my I phone, MacBook and Wi-Fi now. Ooh and my beloved kindle. The boys don’t believe me when I tell them how technology has changed.
- Has anything obscured your light? What was it and how did it get that power over you?
When Jack was diagnosed with diabetes, it was a shock and so hard to comprehend. But we did what any parent would do; lead by example and showed we could deal with this. And we have, we are. It will never go away but with a little work it doesn’t need to affect Jacks quality of life at all.
- Are you going through dark days now? What can help you move forwards? Who can help?
It hasn’t been the best week of our lives, but we can move forward together. We have each other, our family and our health.
- Where do you want your life to look like in 2026 when the next Eclipse heads ourway? What can you do today to help you move towards that?
My biggest hope is that we are all still here living our chaotic little life, that’s all a parent can hope for isn’t it? I hope that a breakthrough comes though in diabetes care that can save Jack from 4-5 injections a day. Yes, there are pumps but I don’t think they are right for him at this moment in time.
I hope the boys grow up to be considerate and kind and funny men like their Dad. They are well on their way, and have us to pick them up if they fall.
Such a lovely post Sarah. How things have changed for you and us all I guess. Your mother love shines through this post. Something tells me with you in their corner your boys will be just fine.
Thanks for linking up over on the Striking Mum blog and I look forward to seeing you in June
Author
Thanks Kate, and even two years ago who would have thought i would have had the opportunities and met the lovely people I have, life is strange but wonderful, can’t wait to see you in June xx
It’s so crazy how things change and how life’s twists and turns prepare us for who we are and how we will deal with things that are thrown at us. Great post as always xxxx
Author
Thanks Maria, yes you never know what is round the corner x
A lovely post, you really do write beautifully. Your hopes are much the same as most of us suspect (well of course a little different although I hope for these things to happen to to make life easier and less painful) it’s funny how much time has changed I was just a kid in 99! X
Author
Ah thank you Hannah that is lovely and yes I bet most Mums have similar hopes, and yes how the world has changed x
What a beautiful post. A roller coaster of emotions. You are an amazing mum and woman. Xx
Author
Aw thank you lovely Kat and so are you x
Ah this is lovely! I think we were the same age or I very nearly was at the time of the last eclipse. We lived down south too with our first little one. I never imagined himself would suddenly get homesick in 2001 and eventually we would have to move back. I tried to explain the technology thing to my 11 yo on Thursday evening, eventually she decided I was exaggerating ha! I hope there is a breakthrough for Jack to manage his condition and I am sure your boys will be just like their dad because, I think you work hard to guide them X
Author
Ha ha my two don’t believe things have changed so much either, and thank you so much for your lovely comment, yes I have everything crossed for the future develpoments xx
Wow what an amazing post and so much has happened, both wonderful and sad. I hope the events lately get sorted soon and that you can make 2015 much more enjoyable and exciting. xxxxx
Author
Thank you Jess, yes I am sure this year is going to be a good one in the end x
A great, very honest post.
Your love for your family shines very brightly throught your words. xx
Author
Thank you so much, that is lovely x
Lovely post sarah! So crazy to think how dramatically things have changed, I hope they find a cure for jack diabetes as well must be so tough for him x
Author
Thank you Amy, I know its crazy isn’t it, and thank you hopefully one day they will xx
This is a wonderful post. You know I have no idea where I was for the last eclipse. None at all. Although in August 1999 I was travelling round the world with two friends from uni so I guess I was probably drunk! Lovely post Sarah.
Author
Ha ha well you must have been having a great time no matter what you were doing xxx
Oh god, I LOVE this post Sarah. What a great look back over the years… that eclipse in ’99 feels like last weekend. I can’t believe it was 16 years ago. We’re about the same age too.
You have the same kind of outlook as me, as your last hope shows. That’s all I want too — for my boys to turn out like their daddy. He’s the most amazing man I’ve ever met (and that says a lot coming from a daddy’s girl like me!!) X
Caro | http://www.thetwinklediaries.co.uk
Author
Ah thank you Caro, yes I get the feeling we are quite similar too, and yes it doesn’t feel like that long ago does it? x
Such a clever post! So much has changed for me – husband, babies, house, career but so much has stayed the same (friends mainly).
Haha to technology – dial up!!
Author
Thanks Megan I know its amazing what changes in life isn’t it x
Gorgeous post! And if your boys are anything like you, I’ll bet they’re lovely xxx
Author
Ah Katie that is such a lovely thing to say thank you xx
Aww, this is a lovely post Sarah. My kids simply cannot comprehend life without the technology available to them now, who would have thunk that you needed to go to a library and read a book to help you with your homework!?! Thanks for linking up with #SundayStars xxx
Author
Thanks Katie, yes life has changed so much hasn’t it xx
Impossible! Romford has been in London and not in Essex since 1965, so there is no way you were in Romford Essex in 1999.
Author
As my postal Address was Romford Essex I can state that yes I was in Essex in 1999. Also known as the London Borough of Havering as of 1965, but still Essex according to postal address, many thanks for feeling the need to question this.