Ages passed

Ages passed.
Stuff happened.
Projects were abandoned, ideas had, ways of working tested, baby achievements barely registered. 
Life was lived.

Things blue and new

Sophie turned 15.
We had cupcakes, cute and yummy.
Then we 3 had a little Friday night party - with Masterchef NZ omnibus, as requested by Sophie and seconded (surprisingly?) by Alex.
Rack of lamb and more, most successful.

Then we had THE PARTY yesterday, with 12 invited guests, all girls, friendships originating from Intermediate school, Church, and School.
Friendly, mostly gregarious girls ... and the food was fine.

Back healing progress is slow though not absent.

Meanwhile law school has been hot (workload); the General Moot happens for me and partner Stewart as respondents in the Moot Court of Appeal on Monday night at 7. Can an intended beneficiary of a will sue a solicitor for negligence in the preparation and oversight of said will?
All to be revealed, come Monday ...

Meanwhile, bearings have been lost.
Who (am I really), what (is it for), where (are the small rewarding moments)?

But a new poem (only new to me, W H Auden) gave me back a feeling of kinship with other humans:
"As I walked out one evening,
...
The glacier knocks in the cupboard,
The desert sighs on the bed,
...
And Jill goes down on her back.
...
The clocks had ceased their chiming,
And the deep river ran on."

With thanks also

to Horatio G Spafford re
"When peace, like a river, attendeth my way.
... it is well with my soul."

and Richard Dormandy re "River Peace".

Bouncing ...

... as in not quite grounded, attached to neun und neunzig luftballons, feet just touching before a teasing hovering and dance to a new spot.

What will I do this year?
Next?

How well will my back get?
Will the improvement continue?

How will my daughter be hurt, and what triumphs will she have?
How will my son confront his challenges, will he bear life's stringent demands, and what or who will be his passions?

Till I have a job, I am at university (this year, at least).
Ideal timing would be November; any timing for good work is better than no work.

I'm exciting. I mean excited.

Time passing

Enough time has passed that I have had the fusion/discectomy/laminectomy operation (performed by Peter Robertson, Mercy Hospital, 13th December).

I've been "out" for a very sick week.
And "invalided" for another five.
And now been driving again for another week.

And am beginning to be active again.
I have my first post-op appointment on Friday.

Maybe the pain I have is normal for this stage.
Maybe its an indication that it will always be with me.

I wait to inform, to discuss, to be examined, to get an experienced opinion.

To do

Be.
Wait for ideas.
Let anger inspire.
Wonder at its source.

Oh ...
Choose well.
Avoid destruction.
Not so open? Open wounds can get septic easily.

Wierd: is ...
Bad?
Neutral?
Yin and yang, multicoloured, a matter of perspective?
Beneficial, and disconcerting?

Failures. Who'd have them?