Thursday 8 January 2015

LIFE AS IT IS - This week in... January 2015

Quelle surprise, my Editor has asked me to put together a feature on peanut allergy. I said I'd rather do one on common courtesy & the freedom of speech v respect, but it's clearly been superseded by my daughter and her stunning reaction to nuts.




Yes, New Years Eve - of all eve's, she swelled up with lips the likes that women might pay money for, came to tell me they felt odd and... what did I do? In a true LIFE AS IT IS parenting moment, as a woman for the umpteenth time that week being poked by her child while on the phone, I told her to wait. She then passed her father, who making a fire, echoed the sentiment.

Fortunately, I was not on the phone for more than a minute longer, and fortunately, I had anti-histamine in the cupboard, and fortunately, I had not had a drink already, and fortunately, I'm so used to A+E dashes, I was able to remain calm and focused.

So there I am, this time with Esme, who by now is coughing, telling me her throat feels funny, and is blistering all over her body like a plank of painted clapboard left in the sunshine for summer's on end. I can't say more than that at this point as I have to write a feature on the subject. Weirdly, she loved it. I did not.

This was also the week the beautiful Christmas holidays came to an end and work resumed, and some sort of normality kicked in (if a little reluctantly). Fia returned to nursery. Playing football was a new part of her curriculum, which naturally she embraced. 

Esme was more than happy to return to a school she loves, albeit with intermittent news flashes to goodness knows who of "I'm not allowed to eat nuts anymore!" I already knew that school was a nut free zone, and although it is, apparently Esme will now be given a yellow plate at lunch time. Her immediate thoughts on this are: "At least it's not green. Because that's snot." Obviously. Her secondary thoughts on this are: "The reason I have to now eat off a yellow plate, is because those are the plates that aren't made from nuts." Gorgeous eh?!

Simon returned to work and a job he enjoys and is brilliant at. I am so proud of him and all he accomplishes every day at the airport. That man is my world.

I returned to work and amidst a script and research for a feature, I wrote a review for my little blog. Yes, this little blog... a place that has opened up a wealth of positivity for me and mine. And a place that hopes to represent a fair life as it is, offering due respect yet adhering to the rules of freedom of speech.

Of which, sadly this week in January 2015... is a tragic start to the year for all, for the freedom of speech has been knocked completely sideways, as a group of satirical journos and innocent others were brutally murdered by a bunch of insane fanatics. 

I cannot understand the hapless and hopeless world some barely love in and many just about live in. We are all the same. No one is better than anyone else. Everyone deserves respect, a home, love, food, health, peace. No matter what their status, faith, culture, colour, politics or agenda. It is 2015 FFS.

14 comments:

VaiChin @RamblingThroughParenthood said...

Here's to righting all the wrongs in 2015. We can live in hope that the fanatics come to their senses and stop the mindless violence #Prose4T

Writing Life As It Is said...

Thanks ValChin for your positive comment

Mummy Tries said...

What a tragic way for the year to start, but as Vai said we must hold on to hope!!

Still can't beliebe how you spent your New Years Eve... Glad Esme recovered quickly. Good luck eith writing your piece on peanut allergies xxx

Writing Life As It Is said...

Thanks Renee. Happy new year! x

Unknown said...

A green plate means snot!! I love the things kids say. Grace's last night was, upon hearing the Pina Colada song - 'why are they singing Penis Colada?' Brilliant! Good old A&E on New Years Eve! Glad Esme was OK though. On a more serious not, I completely echo the sentiments of your last paragraph. Thank you for linking to #Prose4T lovely lady and Happy New Year x

Writing Life As It Is said...

Happy new year to you all Vicky, here's to a peaceful 2015. x

Tracy said...

"We are all the same. No one is better than anyone else. Everyone deserves respect, a home, love, food, health, peace. No matter what their status, faith, culture, colour, politics or agenda."
Very well said. x

Becky Cowley said...

Your last sentence summed up exactly how I am feeling right now!
Sorry about your eventful NYE, glad your daughter is feeling better x

Chrissie M said...

Echoing your last sentiments exactly. What kind of world are we living in where someone can't do a drawing without fearing for their life?
Scary A&E dash - glad she's OK. We're at the calm and collected stage now, too. Happy New Year! x

mumturnedmom said...

Your last paragraph, and in particular your very last sentence, says it all really. What a world. So sorry for your New Year's Eve drama, that's the sort of drama we can well do without! Glad Esme is okay. Here's to a calm, peaceful, respectful 2015. Thanks so much for sharing the beginning of your year with #ThePrompt xx

Writing Life As It Is said...

And so true x

Writing Life As It Is said...

Thanks Becky x

Writing Life As It Is said...

Thanks Chrissie. x

Writing Life As It Is said...

Pleasure Sara, thank you for the prompt! x