Nichola's Story on Blogazine

Hi everyone this is Christi again! I came back to help Mom and would you believe that she  insisted she was getting behind on her Blogazine stories. Since I am here to keep her in bed and happy I am trying to do the next Blogazine post ....lol...So while she is lying her on the ice pack with a new pain med I am learning how to blog.
 Update on Mom...she is still waiting for the Workman's Comp to authorize her to see the Neurosurgeon and she did not sleep well last night because she has difficulty finding a comfortable way to lay.

I think not being on here visiting with her friends is harder on her than the pain! Being a strict caregiver I have limted her usage of the computer to seven minutes morning and then again in the evening. No I am not paying her back for all the times she sent me to my room but that is a thought....

Thanks for all your sweet comments and wishing her well. 

Here is Nichola's and  her story...you can find her at  http://nmcclenaghan.blogspot.com/

 I'm a child of the 70's, born and bred in Belfast in the height of the 'Troubles'. My mum and dad met when they were very young - mum got pregnant, dad got shot. Shocking, I know - and it happened two weeks before I was born. As a result, dad has been in a wheelchair, paralysed from the waist down ever since.

Now , there's a number of things about this that amazes me:



*Dad is still alive - he was only given a few days, then weeks, then months to live. It's 36 years later and we still have him (thank the Lord!).

*Mum and dad are still happily married - of course they have an incredibly difficult life (mum cares for dad full time) but they love each other and have gotten through an amazing amount of 'near death' situations.

*They never display any bitterness - in fact they have taught me the important of tolerance and respect for others (regardless of religion, race, class).

*They sacrificed their life to make mine the best it could be - and it has been great! I was the first in my family to go to university and get an Honours Degree - I did it because they believed and empowered me to do so.

*My childhood was happy, safe, secure, loving, fun - and I could (and still can) talk to them about anything.

*They adore my daughter and still find energy, finance, and passion to invest themselves in her development.
Oh, I could go on and on (I've huge tears running down my face). My parents have helped to make me who I am today (of course there are other factors - God especially) but they made me believe anything is possible, from a very early age.
When my school teacher advised them not to let me sit the Transfer Test (because I would never amount to anything, due to where I came from) my parents insisted that I should reach for the highest of goals and dream big! They are so proud of me - a primary teacher and assistant pastor - and tell me regularly. I secretly guess that they would say the same, regardless of my job or what I do. They are proud of ME (the person I am). It makes you stop and consider how much more God feels about us.
I have wonderful childhood memories - it wasn't a bed of roses by any means, but it helped to craft a character within me that's not easily moved by circumstances. I love my mum and dad with my whole heart and am truly grateful for everything they've done for me.

I’m married to a wonderful man who I’ve known from I was 16 years old. We have a beautiful daughter, Emily (11 years). I’ve suffered a few bouts of really dark depression and battled an eating disorder. I’m still recovering in so many ways. I’ve watched my church split and then saw God rebuild it stronger and more dynamic. I’ve been deeply hurt by ‘friends’ in the past but I’m still willing to reach out to others and connect with them. I’m seeing God do greater things with me now that I’m ‘broken’ and yielded to Him.

I love painting (anything creative), writing and talking (lol). I adore teaching – kids always open your eyes to the ‘new’. I’m beginning to trust God as He uses me as a mouthpiece for His Kingdom…as assistant pastor I’ve got to do my fair share of preaching.

I’m beginning to learn to enjoy the journey to where I’m going, dropping the insecurities, comparisons, fears along the way…step by step. I’m at a fresh new chapter of my life and so excited to see what’s next.

p.s. and it’s amazing to know that I’m not alone on this journey – chin up fellow traveller!!!
Nichola
http://nmcclenaghan.blogspot.com/

Some of my art!

Thanks for sharing your story with us. I know I enjoyed reading it very much as did Mom.
Christi
PS Mom said did you tell everyone Hi for me!  heehee I told her if she did not go to sleep I would take a picture of her without her make up and post it on here. ....Quiet now!