Putting it in perspective

Goal 5: A healthy life for my son

Last winter I decided to stop commuting, and to launch a home-based business. I handed in my resignation, and was focused on developing contracts to guarantee the income I require to get by.

My perspective was changed in May. Ronan, my son, was 14 months old. A chest cold that started on a Friday landed him in intensive care for just shy of a month - at one point, with up to 24 IVs, life support, and doctors "preparing us for the worst" which was an unbelievably strong possibility.

The terror was suffocating. We couldn't do anything but hold our breath and will the doctors and their tools to work. I have never, ever, experienced such horror.

Ronan made it - at the ninth hour, his crashing stopped, and he slowly, ever so slowly, began to recover. His heart resumed its pumping, and after 3 weeks, his lungs could once again supply him with oxygen. Today, only a couple short months later, you'd never know what he had survived. He's an active, cheerful little fellow who keeps us laughing and running.

But my perspective had changed. No longer am I satisfied with fitting him in, around my work. I want him growing older and strong - and I want to know him for a very very long time. So - my mind's been working on bringing my backyard into all aspects of my life. I have more questions than answers, but I know you have to be vigilant, crafty and patient to carve out a healthy and happy being. I plan to make it happen, step by step.