Short and Sometimes Sweet

Because it is depression awareness week, I thought I would write a bit about my own experience of depression. When I was a young child, I was always thought of as "the quiet one". I am an only girl with three brothers. They seemed to make enough noise and bluster without needing any help from me. My father too is a larger than life character, what he lacks in height he makes up for in personality! So I used to just keep to myself, and let them get on with it. I never saw the value in small talk. I always knew that when I had something to say,people would know all about it. So I lived up to that label. As I grew older I became detached from the rest of the family, preferring again to stay in the background. We weren't very well off, and of course there were arguments about money. I stayed out of it for the most part. Soon my label became "the deep one". As in, "ah you know Sharon, she's the deep one." All I know is, although I may have been quiet an...

So, many people will know by now that I'm not your usual run of the mill person. My philosophy has always been "Why try to be like everyone else when I can be me?" I may have lost my way sometimes due to the various crap that life throws up but I always find my way back. I have two wonderful sons (I can say that now) and a beautiful daughter. I'm quite proud of them, I must say. and I'm quite proud of myself for getting this far without being arrested for murder... Many of my posts on here are serious, and indeed I have been through some serious stuff, but I wanted to write about something funny for a change. I was reminded by my eldest son recently about various incidents that happened when he was in primary school. Jamie was walking at 9 months, diagnosed with ADHD at 12 months and a heart breaker from day one. He was given "Gifted" status as a toddler. Always a difficult thing to keep a child like that out of trouble. One has to think outside the box...

Being a parent is the hardest job in the universe, and don't let anyone tell you any different. From the day your children are born the enormity of the job hits you. And it's for life. From the practical issues like feeding, changing etc to providing for them to the disappearance of a proper sleep pattern and everything in between, it's 24/7 for the rest of your life. It can also be some of the most rewarding fun times one can have with their clothes on! I always wanted an enormous family. Due to ill health and other complications that didn't happen. Three was the most we could manage, and even then two were against medical advice. So I put my energy into looking after and educating other people's children. I worked, went to college and reared my family in the best way I knew how. I had lots of help of course, my other half being there to take up the flak and my parents helped too.                               ...

So I have been thinking quite a bit lately about censorship.There has been lots said about the recent jailing of a guy for making comments on twitter about the unfortunate incident with Fabrice Muamba. Well, nobody seems to know exactly what he was jailed for as in the actual charge, but anyway he was jailed. then there was public debate because a woman wrote an article about how being beautiful wasn't all that etc. So it started me thinking, and then I got my very own personal troll. Now, I'm always very careful to point out to people that my opinions are just that. Mine, and an opinion. They might be, (ahem loosely) based on fact or experience, but they're not Gospel. and I don't mind too much if people don't agree. Good healthy debate is enjoyable. I post lots of opinions on twitter and I also read lots of other people's too.I opened a twitter account because I was recuperating after a serious op and got bored. I got chatting to lots of nice people, most of ...

Dear Mam,                   I think about you every minute of every day of my life. Especially at this time of the year, the start of what was the longest few weeks of my life. I was the only one who got to say goodbye to you. That will stay with me. I want to thank you for everything you did for me, and my family. We didn't always see eye to eye, but you gave me good foundations to build on. You instilled in me a strength and love that I will always have. You showed me how to be a good mother. And you were the best Mother and Nana anyone could have wished for. So instead of (or maybe as well as) feeling miserable on your anniversary I am going to raise a glass in your honour and celebrate your life. You should know that I am proud to have had you as my Mam, and I will continue to make you proud to have me as your daughter. Sleep well, God Bless.x Believe me if all those Endearing young charms Which I gaze on so fondly today Were to c...