Adapting to survive
A key theme in my Spirit of series is adaptation. The main character and sometimes those around them must adapt to changes in their lives, and sometimes against their will.
I guess in a way this has been drawn from my own experiences. My working life is drastically different to where I found myself 6 years ago. I have become the master of reinvention but not by choice.
In 2006 I made the decision to leave my career in Customer Services management at a local council and retrain to be a teacher. Having two small children at the time, I had to do this whilst working. I got a job as a teaching assistant, as I considered this would be invaluable experience. My energy levels were flying high, I worked in the day, looked after a home and children, studied for my degree and passed a Higher Level Teaching Assistant qualification within the first year at school.
However that was fairly normal for me, I was a whirling dervish and it suited me.
Following my marriage break down just 2 years later, I started to feel really tired. I had a lot of pain, and many other strange symptoms. It was put down to stress by my doctor and I happily agreed with that diagnosis, believing I would soon return to full strength.
I didn’t. If anything I got worse.
A long story of tests and hospitals later, and I was delivered the news that I had severe arthritis in my hips and fibromyalgia and possibly MS. No cure. This was now how it would always be. My life changed forever.
Initially I felt like someone had just pushed me out of a plane. I was falling with no idea how to stop or what to do to make it better. My health forced me out of work. My degree was put on hold. Sympathetic people all over the place reassured me. But I was lost.
Thankfully I had my epiphany moment and realised I needed to evolve and adapt. My brain still worked - thankfully. My arms and hands were fine. I just had problems with standing and rushing around. So, I started writing. I wrote for anyone that wanted me to. I worked for peanuts! But as my reputation started to grow I realised I was actually good at something, and it became a new living.
I work from home on full time basis now, my entrepreneurial streak has kicked in, and I can find umpteen ways to keep food on the table. I learnt one very important skill - how to adapt. Actually I love my new life. The chronic illness is a pain - pardon the pun - but the rest of it is awesome!
Caragh finds herself faced with a massive need to adapt, and my experience gave me the skills to help her do this brilliantly. Her life changes beyond recognition but with a few wobbles along the way, she finds ways to adapt, and lands up a very happy lady.
Excerpt
The New York skyline flashed passed them, as they both stared intently out the windows trying to take in every small glimpse of the city, before in a flash it was gone and replaced by something new. It was much colder than home, snow ploughs became a common sight and the winter wonderland scene was really beginning to take form, even if some of the snow was greyed with city smog and bustle just as it did back home.
Tucking her brown faux fur coat tightly round her, as the chill of the city dug deep, Caragh looked at James, and with a smile said “I love you Mr Coles, thank you for making my dreams come true”
Reaching over the rather worn black leather seat of the slightly battered workhorse New York taxi, James placed his black gloved hand over her white suede gloved hand and replied “I love you too Mrs Coles, and thank you”
Moments later the cab drew to a halt, and the door was opened by the hotel porter.
“Madam, Sir” said the uniformed man. “Welcome to the Renaissance, if you would like to follow me, your luggage will be brought in directly”
He offered his hand to Caragh, and she took it to steady herself as she stepped out of the cab, gasping at the grand hotel frontage that awaited her.
The shining staircase and massive glass frontage were quite spectacular, she felt like she was arriving at some sort of movie premiere, and half expected to look down and see red carpet, and be distracted by the flashbulbs of the paparazzi.
Even though she had seen the pictures nothing could have prepared her for how grand and radiant it was in real life. She heard James gasp too as he joined her from the cab having hung back to pay the driver.
“Wow!” was all he could manage.
Feeling distinctly VIP and just a little bit giddy at the situation and surroundings they were ushered through the hotel check in and passed from the care of the porter, to the reception staff, and finally led by the bellboy to their suite. It was clearly a smooth well rehearsed process that these polished staff carried out without hitch. They had splashed out on getting the best hotel and suite they could possibly stretch to, and certainly looked as though they were not going to be disappointed.
“Broadway View” announced the corporately dressed bellboy, using the card key lock,and flinging wide the door for them to enter.
“Will that be all?” he queried as their luggage was brought in by another clone style porter, and he placed the card keys on a nearby table.
“Yes, that’s lovely, thank you” said James taking a ten dollar bill from his pocket and passing it discreetly to the young lad as he shook his hand.
(He had seen it done in the movies so many times and longed to have a go... sadly he didn’t feel he pulled off the cool as well as they do, but he had a couple of weeks to practice)
“Sir, Madam” he said with a slight bow, and he retreated from the room closing the door behind him.
They were both silent for the few minutes as they drank in the dazzling setting that was to be their home for the next two weeks.
A grand dark wood kingsize bed dominated one side of the suite, a lounge and desk area taking up space the other side, not that space was an issue the suite could certainly not be described as small. Doors lead off the main room to as yet unknown destinations waiting to be explored.
The setting was wonderfully opulent to say the least, chic and modern, there seemed to have been no cost spared in the aesthetic effect it presented.
“It is beautiful” said Caragh, standing on one spot and turning a full 360 degrees to take it all in.
They took off their coats, gloves and hats, and like a pair of children in a candy store they wandered around, touching furniture, opening doors, stroking the bedding and curtains, gasping in excitement at each new discovery. It was a fantastic setting in which to begin their Christmas adventure.
Caragh disappeared into the bathroom and shrieked excellently, “it’s gorgeous” she exclaimed as James followed her in to see for himself.
A massive corner jacuzzi bath, a television mounted on the wall about. Glass holders to the side, his and hers sinks, and the toilet presented discretely behind a wall and screen.
“It is very expensive” he said with a laugh as he headed back to the main room.
Caragh reappeared and flopped starfish like across the huge bed. “Oh I do like it” she said stretching luxuriously, her long blonde hair spilling around her, a stark contrast on the black bedding the hotel provided
James walked over to the bottle of complimentary champagne resting in a tall silver ice bucket, and lifted it out. Collecting the two glasses also on offer, he made his way to the yellow and cream striped couch sat in the massive floor to ceiling window, positioned perfectly to take in the city lights below.
He motioned to Caragh to join him, and with a pop of the cork opened the fizz. Sitting side by side, glasses in hand they were content for the next few minutes just gazing out on the bustle of the city below.
“I can see Hell’s Kitchen, oh my goodness that is surreal, Oh James, I can’t really believe it’s true” said Caragh “but here we are!”
Blurb and links
When the holiday of a lifetime turns to tragedy, Caragh fears her life will never be the same again. Her beloved James is missing, she has to learn to live all over again. With the help of her nurse Elspeth, and her new friend Callum, slowly she begins to rebuild. However, not everyone is who they seem, and she fears she will be alone forever....until Christmas brings with it some unexpected magic.
Buy it HERE
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