Dear 2019

It was the best of times; it was the worst of times…

I know I’m not the only one who thinks that 2019 was full of high highs and low lows. While it was one of the best years of my life, 2019 was also one of the most difficult. However, although it was difficult, it was a year where I felt I grew more into who I am meant to be. It was a year of growth and reflection and, ultimately, joy.

In March of 2019, my memoir Little Yellow Magnet was published. It took more than two years worth of writing to finish it and get it out there into the world. Little Yellow Magnet is the most important book that I’ve ever written. It deals with my diagnosis with relapse and remitting Multiple Sclerosis and the journey that it led me on. I also had my first ever solo book launch for the book, something I’ve never done before for any of my other books.

April of 2019 marked two anniversaries! I first met my husband on April 4^th and, three years later, we married on April 15^th. 2019 marked our second wedding anniversary. I can’t believe that I’ve shared five years with this wonderful man. It feels like it’s only been a month that I’ve been with him, let alone five years. I am blessed every day I wake up beside him and every night when I go to sleep beside him.

I also got to see Cher in concert in April! Michael and I went to see Cher! I’ve always wanted to see her in concert. I was supposed to go way back in 2013, but my first MS Walk was the day after the concert, so I sold my ticket. It was wonderful that I finally got to see Cher and with the man I love.

At the end of April, it was my fifth MS Walk! I walked with a large group of friends and family members and it was a joyous day. We managed to walk 5 kilometres in just over an hour! That shaved 10 minutes off of our time from last year!

I was also on television! I spoke to Dylan Black on Daytime Ottawa on Rogers Television about my memoir Little Yellow Magnet and the journey that I’ve been on with multiple sclerosis and the journey writing the book. I had an amazing time and Dylan Black was a joy to speak to!

In June of 2019, I was in the newspaper! The Ottawa Citizen interviewed me about the possible closure of the MS Clinic at the Ottawa Hospital. The article contained my interview and also a photo of my looking all authorly. It was an honour to speak about the MS Clinic and what it has meant for my care and my state of living. I was thrilled with the reception of the article and I’m very proud to have been interviewed.

In June of 2019, I read tarot cards for charity! The Cornwall Cuddle Cot Team asked me if I would donate my time doing tarot readings in order to raise money for a Cuddle Cot for the Cornwall hospital. The Cuddle Cot gives mothers who have delivered stillborn children time to grieve and more time with their child. I was honoured to be asked and it was a joy to read cards for such an important cause. The money brought in by my tarot readings raised the total enough so that they could get a Cuddle Cot for the hospital!

We said goodbye to our beloved Tula in July of 2019. She was always such a fierce spirit, so wild. After eight years together, we had to say goodbye. I still think of you everyday Tula but now I picture you looking down from above, having walked on the Rainbow Bridge. Thank you for coming into my life when we needed each other the most and making our lives so full of joy.

In August of 2019, I turned 41! That still boggles my mind. I don’t feel 41. Indeed, I think my body feels 30, my mind feels 20 and my spirit is infinite. I was able to celebrate with friends and family and to welcome in everything that being 41 would bring.

In September of 2019, Michael took me to Orlando again! I’ve been to Orlando three times now, all so that I can go to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter! We went with Marg and Catherine and we had a ball and a blast and worked our magic. I don’t know if I will ever go again, but it was an incredible time!

October saw the release of three books by me! Starlight, Starbright, Love and Lemonade and Nothing Without Us, an anthology of stories that features my story The Descent. The anthology was significant as it featured stories with disabled protagonists, written by disabled writers. So proud of that book!

I also attended Can-Con 2019 and had my very own table in the vendor’s room! I spoke on three panels, led one panel, attended a launch for Nothing Without Us and did an author reading from my story! It was a gorgeous and wonderful time and I met so many wonderful writers and readers!

I also got a new tattoo in October! I got a Unicorn tattooed on my right arm. That way, I can always look at it. The tattoo is a reminder to be magical, to embrace my magic and to remind myself that I am filled with magic. After such an up and down year, I felt I needed to have that magical reminder.

November 2019 brought our annual trip to Cuba! We went our friends Mike and Rick. We had such a fabulous time and it was good to get out of the cold and get some sunshine. I can’t wait to go back!

Now I am looking at the end of 2019. I think if I’ve learned anything, it was how to overtime, how to find the joy even in the darkest moments. I’ve learned a lot about myself and what I’m capable of this year.

I can only hope that 2020 brings me joy. It’s the start of a new decade and a new year. I can’t wait to see what it brings me! Thank you everyone for following me on this journey that we call life. It’s a pleasure to have you in my life.

Onward to 2020!