Christmas is usually my favourite time of year. I love the hustle and bustle. The stress of ensuring you have everything for your infamous mac n cheese. Shouting at your sister because she’s in the way and you just want to cook in peace! The scratching of your head wondering what presents to buy for the family. Unsure if you’re going to give this gift to your cousin or if you’re going to keep it for yourself. You know, all that good Christmas cheer.

This year feels and is a little different. A lot different. It brings me to tears when I think about how different it is this year. Feels strange, you know. Grappling with a temporary yet serious health condition, it kind of puts things into perspective for you. I mean, while I love spending time with my noisy family and receiving my gifts, it hits me how important it is to have your health. As I sit on my bed and reflect (where I spend most of my time as of late) about the seriousness of just how important it is to be in good health. I know it sounds like such an obvious thing. But we say this all the time and rather casually.

Yet, until you come face to face with temporarily not being able to walk around normally or move around freely, not without being assisted in a wheelchair, it dawns on you the importance of your health. You think about all the times you took for granted being able to walk around the park, walk to the bus stop, jog down the stairs to get your Amazon package before he says you weren’t home, or simply walk to the toilet, kitchen, and back.

Your health is honestly the one thing you cannot take for granted. I could win the lottery today, insert praying hands, but if I don’t have my health, if I’m not in good health, to get up and enjoy my winnings it would mean absolutely nothing. It literally would just be sitting there. So this Christmas, even though it is different, I’m grateful for my health. No, I’m not 100% myself yet, and I’m not able to help my mum in the kitchen this year, but I still am grateful. It could honestly be worse, and I’m thankful to have a loving and supportive family around me during this tough time.

So lovely people, let’s not wait for the New Year to make that resolution to take care of your health. Let’s not take our healthcare so lightly or so casually; we only have one body, so let’s take care of it.

Lastly, I know Christmas can be a bittersweet time for some, but let’s focus on the sweet. What are you grateful for this year?

Until next time.

Peace and love!