Thursday, November 15, 2007

I was woken from my sound sleep this morning by a phone call from a panicked mummy.

Her lift had somehow not picked her up and she needed to get to work, so I threw on a bright pink jumper (bright enough to wake me up) and headed straight for the car in "Emily to the rescue" mode.

Stepping outside took my breath away, both due to the sheer air temperature and the beauty of the glistening outside world. I live on a fairly pretty world, and having everything decorated in what in my opinion looked a bit like sparkly lace was rather exciting. Last winter, I was lucky if I opened the curtains before 11 and would certainly not venture out of the house in cold weather as my lungs would instantly through a huge strop and start bleeding in retaliation.

Having not driven this early in the morning for rather a long time, I had completely neglected the fact that with cold weather comes something else: icy cars. I sat in the car and switched on the heater, in the naïve optimism that the ice would magically evaporate from the car. After 2 minutes or so when said ice showed no signs of doing such a thing, I decided brightly to “wash” the ice off by washing the windscreen; cue newly frozen sheet of ice on top of icy windscreen. I have no scraper, as I have never needed one before. Whilst I waited for the heater to work its magic I sat pathetically pushing the buttons to make the windows go up and down as if by some magic this would knock all the ice off (again didn’t work).

10 minutes later I was on the road and picked up a bounding and cheerful mother (if the jumper didn’t wake me up then she certainly would have) and we set off to her work. On the way we had to drive through a park, which was absolutely stunning in the low winter sunlight, frost all around. It sounds so daft to be so captivated but I genuinely missed all these sights for the last few years, due to old lungs despising cold weather (even though I have always loved it) and general poor health preventing much outdoor winter activity.

The last week or so has actually been really busy; I went to Birmingham to speak at a physiotherapy conference which was a great experience. I have a huge amount of respect for physios, because as health deteriorates they unwittingly become not only a physio but a source of comfort, support and council. I think it’s because whereas doctors and nurses are often only in the room for minutes, physiotherapy can take some time so you build up a very strong bond. I could not have got through a lot of my tough times without not only their physical support and symptomatic relief, but their help and guidance with my emotional wellbeing. Unfortunately I managed to have quite a few in tears again, but I can’t help it; I talk very openly about whatever is asked therefore some of it will be sad as certain episodes certainly were. I was lucky enough to meet a few physios who treat/have treated my friends (Robyn’s, Oli’s, Jess’s) which was lovely too.

Saturday I attended the Lord Mayors Parade on the Transplants in Mind bus. A really fun day, I was whooping and shrieking and cheering along with the crowds, as we handed out thousands of flags to people lining the streets. If just one person picks up the phone and registers after that then that’s potentially 9 lives saved…some pics of the day below. Stay warm!



Two really nice guys who had their transplants yeeears ago.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Must be amazing to see such sparkliness again through your eyes. I know that walking to school with young children makes me see it all through their eyes and it certainly was a magical morning this morning. Bet you're looking forward to snow!!!!?????

Big hugs Mrs A.
xxx

Sandylizz said...

Emily do you ever stop these days? lol.....Its good to hear you enjoying everything you do! I know the feeling of not being able to go out in the cold... but it did look very christmasy this morning out the window (esp as the xmas lights went on in town last night) Hope your having a great week x x

suzie said...

Oooooow I so agree about the morning frostyness, no matter how you're feeling it has a magical effect. I so wanted to take a photo of the spider webs in my hedge but battery was flat damn it.

Good to hear you are as energetic as ever, you need one of them heated glove with scraper attatched thingies and a light on the end. xxx

BreathinSteven said...

Hi Emily...

If I ever need to be reminded that the world is a truly beautiful place, filled with truly beautiful people, I just need to wander through a few of your posts...

I think that I have much the same attitude about life that you do -- but you put your thoughts and feelings on paper so eloquently. You make the world a better place...

I love the images you put in our minds...

Love,

Steve

Anonymous said...

Lol highly amused if not very surprised by your attempts to get ice of the car

Almost as smart moment as our yoghurt discussion in sainsburys
"well I think your both mental..."
:p

Love you emy t

xxxx

Anonymous said...

That comment would have been a lot more smart ass if I hadn't made two spelling mistakes...
DOH!

Yup, you can definetly tell we're related ;)

xxxx

Anonymous said...

next time try boiling water from the kettle on your windscreen, it works much faster then a heater...

Anonymous said...

I saw a pink scraper with fur on the other day whilst shopping. I've forgotten where I saw it but I'll keep an eye out now.

I also love to see all the Autumn reds and golds, when I go for a run in the morning I will take a photograph of the route I take, when its frosty and the mixture of colours it takes your breath away.

Gilly xxxx

Anonymous said...

ahh i havent really een much frost, it is just very cold down here in devon
anyway, i will look and relish the icyness wen it really comes.
glad you keeping busy!!!!!!!!!
love jennie

Anonymous said...

NOOOOO Don't try BOILING water - you'll risk cracking the windscreen. WARM water poured over does the job nicely :)

Anonymous said...

The sister in me says: How lovely, i'm glad you've had such a beautiful week... and appreciating the freezingness and everything!

The english student in me says: 'I live on a very pretty world'... what?! :P

Love you xx