When did that moment happen? When had I become the child while my children took on the role of becoming my parents? It happened very subtly, and I didn’t see it coming. It seems such a short time ago that I was cradling them in my arms and comforting them with assurances that everything was going to be alright.

Matt, my youngest, suffered a horrific brain injury, losing half of his skull in an accident so many years ago. He has made a miraculous recovery and has worked hard to ensure that his brain has regenerated. Whilst things looked grim for quite a while, the dire predictions of his future were not realised, and he amazes me with his continual growth.

A few months ago, he suffered a nasty ankle injury, completely crushing one bone and breaking other bones and capillaries. Once again, we were given some dire consequences and whilst there is still a way to go, he is dealing positively with his recovery. So, it was his turn to nurture his mother. I lay on the bed beside him in a vulnerable moment. I was recounting that last year was one of those years that I would like to take off the record. Matt took the opportunity to remind me that everything that happened was a learning opportunity – Yes Dad!  He also reminded me about my use of language. During the year I had experienced significant pain which affected my mobility. I have always been so active, so I found this frustrating.

Among other things, I had taken on two projects, both time consuming and very challenging. I almost gave up on both but, in my eyes, a commitment is a commitment and I hung in there. One has now been completed and the other was not meant to be. My biggest lesson, according to St Matt – and I reluctantly agree – is to not jump in and do things without some consideration. The biggest take out for me is to set up the scope of intended projects with a clear contract so that everyone knows exactly what is expected. You would think I would know better as I had actually taught project management within a Diploma of Business course. How come I hadn’t applied what I knew to my own projects? I have always tended to make decisions on the spur of a moment – sometimes this has been to my advantage but not always. Now I have learnt that something can feel so right yet still need to be considered and negotiated, especially when there are other personalities involved. I’ve made a few snap decisions in the past few years that on the surface have not been to my advantage and my self-appointed ‘parents’ remind me that it is about time I learnt from these lessons.

Back to the language lesson. Whilst I was recovering from whatever was happening to my body, Matt often reminded me that I used the words, “I Can’t”. I thought he was being a bit harsh but I began consciously to change my language to “Yes I CAN” … and guess what, it is working. I am so excited to find that most of my “I Can’ts” have been turned around and I have found myself doing things I thought I can no longer do. I have proved to myself that our bodies can regenerate, and we can do far more than we think we ever could. I find this terribly exciting and have now forgiven Matt for being so firm with me.

My response to recent events is to get myself a personal trainer, change my diet and begin to take the dancing out of my head and onto the floor. So, kids, I am about to reclaim my power, put all that behind me and bearing in mind all that I have learnt, prepare myself for the next exciting adventure.

Let’s start a CAN DO movement.