2016 was a bittersweet year for most of us. We said goodbye to what seemed like an entire generation. It was the year the performers and entertainers we grew up with crossed the bar to another existence, leaving us stunned and faced with the reality of our own immortality. There was a tumultuous upheaval in the political world, leaving many questioning the future – and then there was usual stuff – another round of forest fires, earthquakes, floods, and riots. Some of these things touched us personally; some of these things were so remote we were alienated by distance and disinterest. The pleasant stories and the victories seemed to disappear in the fog of sadness that greeted most of our days. It seemed like 2016 was doomed to fall into memory as the “year that shouldn’t have been”.
I can understand that view. 2016 was the year I endured more struggles with RA, suffering flares that lasted longer than usual, taking me back several steps, and forcing me to start again with a new treatment plan. It was the year my disease reactivated itself, thriving in dark rainy days, filling my joints with inflammation and pressure like a dense fog sweeping in from the ocean and swallowing up the harbour lights. I repeatedly fell off the exercise wagon and put some projects on hold as I fought my way through turbulent days. I was thoroughly reminded not to get too overconfident about my achievements. 2016 appeared in every way of being marked a year of heartbreak, bleakness and disappointment.
But all was not lost – 2016 also brought many memorable moments: we watched people stand together to protect their land from big business; we saw small acts of kindness, like a man risking his life by getting out of his car on a high-speed highway to rescue a kitten; we watched a rock star stand against cancer and travel across the country for one last show; recently I read about a man who walked into a school and paid off all overdue lunch balances – simply amazing. In my world, I found more time to focus on new projects, was part of an award-winning theatre production, did another successful in the fall, met new people, did my first advocacy talk at a local university and was given the gift of new life – the birth of my nephew. These things may sound like small potatoes in the giant pot we call life, but I enjoyed them every step of the way – with and without butter.
Life is not a straight road – it has curves, hills, valleys, and corners. It can bring dark clouds, but nature has shown us those clouds will dissipate and expose the sun. There will always be things we can’t control. I don’t spend too much time worrying about those things. I can’t know what’s around the next corner, but I can try to stay as healthy and strong as possible to face it. I live in the moment, focussing on those things I can control – whatever the future brings, those small pleasures and accomplishments are powerful enough to give me promise and confidence to move forward.
We are creeping up to the winter solstice and a new calendar year. I am counting down my last days of 2016 battling a very nasty cold but even so, there a still some days left to find those pleasurable moments before I turn the corner. A new year is a chance to begin again – to ponder fresh goals, re-evaluate our lives and work towards completing the things we started last year. I look forward to the ups and downs of another season. I am ready to meet the challenges and victories that will rise up to greet me, and turn another corner in a life with RA.
Wishing all a very happy and healthy holiday season, and a Happy New Year.
No Comments
Leave a Comment
The information on this site are stories based on my personal experiences and is not intended for medical advice. All content provided on this blog is for informational purposes only. The owner of this blog makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site. The owner will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information nor for the availability of this information. The owner will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the display or use of this information. All content is original and owned by the author and shall not be used or duplicated without express and written permission.
If You Like What You See
Some people have inquired if there’s a place to donate on my blog. This is for those who would like to offer extra support for my work and I thank you for this.
A bigger thank you to all my readers who offer ongoing support simply by stopping by for a visit. I enjoy writing and interacting with you.
About me
J.G. Chayko is a writer, actress, and international arthritis advocate who’s been involved in theatre for more than 30 years and has published poetry, fiction, and creative non-fiction.
Happy New Year J.G. I hope 2017 will be terrific for you and your entire family.
All the absolute best to you and yours. May it be a year filled with health, happiness and infinite possibility. X.
Merry Christmas to you! 🙂
A very Happy Christmas to you Wren. May the New Year be good to you in every way. X.
Yes, from Bowie to Frey, Prince and Leon Russell and everyone in between that wrote the soundtrack of our generation to Brexit and Trump, to Aleppo and N. Dakota. It seemed like more turmoil. Or not. Perhaps the added chronic- Ness of our RA this year just made it seem more tumultuous. Thanks again for always putting it into the most elegant of words. It so expresses how I feel but cannot put words to.
I have made an appt with my orthopedic for the end of the year to finally talk about knee replacement. I keep waiting for it to get better. I waited in an unhappy marriage for 10 years hoping it would get better. I’ve decided not to do the same thing with the knee. I wl post more when I have an update but your post helped me immensely.
Thank you so much for your lovely words. I so hope the next turn around your corner will bring some new and delightful surprises. Sending light and positive energy your way. Best, J.G. X.
Congratulations on the birth of your nephew! How wonderful. And what a touching and giving thing to do of that man to come pay off the overdue lunch fees of some obviously needy kids. That warms my heart. Yes, one should not dwell on the negative, though there might be much of it these days. Better to focus on the positive and give thanks for each new dose of sunshine, Wishing the best for this new year.
Thank you Irma. I wish you all the best of health, happiness and new adventures for the New Year. Hope the holiday season has been kind to you and yours. Sending warm thoughts and positive energy your way. ❤