Dragons
Once upon a time there was a girl. She was loved by all of her friends and family and despite a complicated health condition she lived her life with a smile. She loved to read and write and watch tv and tried to use her experiences to help others. The girl was pretty bad about procrastination and time management but otherwise had a fair number of readers that found her tales helpful. Then the girl left her small tight nit village to go seek an education in the Great Kingdom of the University to Maryland. There the girl met some amazing friends and teachers and she learned a lot. Despite everything the girl was able to live on her own and be like every other person her age. The girl returned home for the winter season filled with hope and excitement for the new year. As 2014 came to a close the girl couldn't wait for her next adventure to begin.
But rather than the adventure she expected, the girl faced a very different kind of obstacle. As the clock struck twelve on the night of the new year the girl was attacked by a dragon - a dragon by the name of Klebsiella. While in the past the girl had been able to fight off dragons with the aid of her knights of the order of Georgetown University Hospital. But alas this dragon was much stronger and the girl was sent into a deep sleep. The nights and wizards from the order worked tirelessly to ensure the girl would wake. After close to a fortnight, she did. But when the girl awoke she was not the same. The girl couldn't see the happy world she had once loved. Because now the girl could see the dragons hiding at the edges, waiting to attack when you least expect it. The girl returned to her village and pretended that everything was fine. She even returned to the kingdom to continue her education. But alas, her mind was on other things and her professors were disappointed.
The summer season began and the girl finally took the time to relax and be happy. The girl reached out to her friends and family and began to finally heal. The girl began to feel cautiously hopeful about her future and prepared to start back at school in the fall. As soon as she began to study however the girl once more felt lost and confused. Her dreams became filled with late homework and missed assignments. She was trying to balance working with the knights and wizards of the order and to also balance all the stress from school plus commuting back and forth from the kingdom was really annoying and she kept missing classes to fight more dragons and she never got to see her friends because she was so busy and she wasn't even sure if she wanted to be an american studies major anymore and aaaaaaah!
So the girl finally had some conversations with her friends. And she thought a lot about how her life had been in the past couple of years. And she remembered why she had started this blog in the first place. Because she had all these experiences and she thought that maybe if she shared them then she could help people. Feeling so confused about her own future the girl decided that the thing she wanted to do most is to help other people. To help people with growing up, with having health conditions, with being happy and enjoying life. So the girl looked at how confused and unhappy she was in her own life and went to her parents. And the family discussed all night long and finally came to an agreement that taking some time off from her education to focus on her health condition and figuring out what she wanted to do was a good idea. And the girl felt all the stress and anxiety leave her and she finally felt like she was able to breathe. But then the girl felt a little bit of panic seep in. What had she done?! She wasn't following the path anymore! She was gonna have to figure out her own way of getting through the forest of life. So the girl sat down and decided to write a blog post. She decided to write about everything that had happened to her. So that way people would understand where she's coming from. And then she decided that this is where she would start. She would once again begin to share her stories with the world and see who she could help. She could still see the dragons flying at the edge of her vision and she knew that at some point in the future she'd have to fight them again... and some of them were going to end up sticking around and she would have to learn to live with them. Dragons like Adrenal Insufficiency that could only be tamed with the help of the magical Hydrocortizol, or dragons like Anxiety. But the girl started to feel excited and brave again. She didn't feel broken anymore... she felt stronger and more hopeful than she had in almost a year. So the girl pulled on her leggings and boots. She adjusted her deathly hallows necklace and peace sign earrings. She packed her iv bag and pump into a back pack and grabbed a notebook, some colorful markers, a pen, and her phone. Donning her armor she looked up at the dragons and smiled. Time to fight. And then the girl wrote - using a dorky metaphorical world to help tell her story because she had been reading and watching a lot of fantasy recently and she's kind of a drama queen. And now that girl is asking for you to let her know how they liked her first tale. Because this girl is really excited for feedback and really hopes you continue to read. And also if you could help spread the word this girl would really appreciate it :) My name is Celia Fairbanks. Lets see if I can change the world a little bit. xxx Celia
But rather than the adventure she expected, the girl faced a very different kind of obstacle. As the clock struck twelve on the night of the new year the girl was attacked by a dragon - a dragon by the name of Klebsiella. While in the past the girl had been able to fight off dragons with the aid of her knights of the order of Georgetown University Hospital. But alas this dragon was much stronger and the girl was sent into a deep sleep. The nights and wizards from the order worked tirelessly to ensure the girl would wake. After close to a fortnight, she did. But when the girl awoke she was not the same. The girl couldn't see the happy world she had once loved. Because now the girl could see the dragons hiding at the edges, waiting to attack when you least expect it. The girl returned to her village and pretended that everything was fine. She even returned to the kingdom to continue her education. But alas, her mind was on other things and her professors were disappointed.
The summer season began and the girl finally took the time to relax and be happy. The girl reached out to her friends and family and began to finally heal. The girl began to feel cautiously hopeful about her future and prepared to start back at school in the fall. As soon as she began to study however the girl once more felt lost and confused. Her dreams became filled with late homework and missed assignments. She was trying to balance working with the knights and wizards of the order and to also balance all the stress from school plus commuting back and forth from the kingdom was really annoying and she kept missing classes to fight more dragons and she never got to see her friends because she was so busy and she wasn't even sure if she wanted to be an american studies major anymore and aaaaaaah!
So the girl finally had some conversations with her friends. And she thought a lot about how her life had been in the past couple of years. And she remembered why she had started this blog in the first place. Because she had all these experiences and she thought that maybe if she shared them then she could help people. Feeling so confused about her own future the girl decided that the thing she wanted to do most is to help other people. To help people with growing up, with having health conditions, with being happy and enjoying life. So the girl looked at how confused and unhappy she was in her own life and went to her parents. And the family discussed all night long and finally came to an agreement that taking some time off from her education to focus on her health condition and figuring out what she wanted to do was a good idea. And the girl felt all the stress and anxiety leave her and she finally felt like she was able to breathe. But then the girl felt a little bit of panic seep in. What had she done?! She wasn't following the path anymore! She was gonna have to figure out her own way of getting through the forest of life. So the girl sat down and decided to write a blog post. She decided to write about everything that had happened to her. So that way people would understand where she's coming from. And then she decided that this is where she would start. She would once again begin to share her stories with the world and see who she could help. She could still see the dragons flying at the edge of her vision and she knew that at some point in the future she'd have to fight them again... and some of them were going to end up sticking around and she would have to learn to live with them. Dragons like Adrenal Insufficiency that could only be tamed with the help of the magical Hydrocortizol, or dragons like Anxiety. But the girl started to feel excited and brave again. She didn't feel broken anymore... she felt stronger and more hopeful than she had in almost a year. So the girl pulled on her leggings and boots. She adjusted her deathly hallows necklace and peace sign earrings. She packed her iv bag and pump into a back pack and grabbed a notebook, some colorful markers, a pen, and her phone. Donning her armor she looked up at the dragons and smiled. Time to fight. And then the girl wrote - using a dorky metaphorical world to help tell her story because she had been reading and watching a lot of fantasy recently and she's kind of a drama queen. And now that girl is asking for you to let her know how they liked her first tale. Because this girl is really excited for feedback and really hopes you continue to read. And also if you could help spread the word this girl would really appreciate it :) My name is Celia Fairbanks. Lets see if I can change the world a little bit. xxx Celia
I love your dorky metaphorical world Celia - great post! Stay well and see you soon xxx
ReplyDeleteYou already have my dear!
ReplyDeleteYou will encounter dragons throughout your life! Just remember that you are the trainer and take charge! Nice story!
ReplyDeleteDon't ever forget how really, really good you are at slaying dragons!
ReplyDeleteGP Fairbanks
Hi Celia, you have already and will no doubt continue. Thanks again for setting us on the right course last year with the stories and perspective that you shared - just one of many things you've already done to make the world a better place! You're amazing, be well!
ReplyDeleteThat's such a great, original blog post Celia. I loved reading it, and felt a little closer to you. Good luck with all your decisions
ReplyDeleteFrom Helen in NZ
DeleteNot at all dorky, Celia! I loved your metaphorical approach and am hoping you write more soon. Don't worry about the big timeline, it's just one model, not necessarily the best. Please keep writing.
ReplyDeleteCelia you have all of the tools to continue forging your own path, imagination, self knowledge and firm values, a deep well of personal strength and experience, and a loving heart. I think you have made a very wise and brave decision. Much love.
ReplyDeleteI am sending you several BIG BEAR HUGS to help you fight the dragon.
ReplyDeleteGrandma F.