Tag Archives: holidays

Our dream is to travel so, if we’re honest about it, we’re always jealous of our friends who go inter-railing or holidaying with partners or families. Please don’t read that as us resenting those friends, because we don’t, we’d just love to go with them (insert laughter). It doesn’t need to be abroad, we’d love to see a West-end show or visit a museum in London or Cornwall. Heck, we’d love just to visit relatives. I have to admit, and I hope it doesn’t make these friends feel guilty to read this, but I had a lump in my throat seeing photos of friends visiting the Harry Potter film sets. We love HP and are desperate to go. In fact, I was rude enough to ask a bit too enthusiastically for them to buy me a souvenir (sorry about that!). Not only was I jealous, but even worse, I couldn’t help feeling like if I wasn’t sick, Paul and I would be with them.

Plus, it’s carers’ week and I kept trying to think of a way we could go there on a day trip, or go anywhere outside of Cardiff city centre on a day trip, but I’m coming up blank. (Any suggestions welcome)

Maybe part of the reason I lost touch with some friends when I got sick after my ‘a’ levels is because it was too painful to hear about all the things they were doing, things I should have been a part of. When you’re sick, you want the world to stop turning so you don’t miss out on anything. It’s not that I’ve ever blamed or disliked a friend for carrying on with their lives, but I guess part of me wanted them to want to make my life great. I have been lucky enough to find a partner and a best friend who will exchange a day on the beach for watching films and playing board games in bed. It was selfish and greedy of me then, to want a whole group of friends who would turn up at my house with the sole intention of giving me an interesting day, on top of them.

Paul and I in Bruges, January 2012

It’s easy for me to get upset and feel sorry for myself- and I do sometimes. But, then I remember that God is good and has already given us some great opportunities, like planting Church in Bruges in January. I’m also trying to keep in mind that we’re hoping that this September P and I might get to fulfill a dream we’ve been talking about since we first got together- going to Paris on honeymoon.

I don’t say (or write) these words lightly, I still well up sometimes when I think of things like the tour of America I was supposed to go on with friends when I was 18. I still have to give myself the reality/pep talk at times like yesterday when my friends when to the HP film sets. When I think of what I’d have to exchange if I were to turn back the clock and undo my illness though, I’m not sure I’d want to…

Love Katie x

p.s. This topic will continue tomorrow.

Sensitivity disclaimer- This blog post is in no way intended to make any of my friends feel guilty or sad.

Posted by chronickatie in Activities out of the house, Care/carer, Social activities Tags: best friend, Bruges, Brugge, Cardiff, carer, Cornwall, disability, disabled, fibro, Fibromyaliga, friends, green eyed monster, Harry Potter, Harry Potter film set, holiday with disablity, holidays, holidays abroad, honeymoon, HP, inter-railing, jealousy, London, M.E., Paris, Paul, severe M.E., summer holiday, United States, vacation