Friday 24 June 2016

Adversity is unavoidable, staying optimistic is optional.

It has not been a good day in the BacktoBodrum household.  In a home full of tennis and squash racquets where Nike reigned and we have the cups to prove it, (the latest only arriving on its shelf last September), the arrival of a wheel chair and walking frame is a humiliation and an insult to a life lived as healthily as possible. We held out against them but now welcome them with thanks as the only means of keeping going on our own for a bit longer. The day started badly for us, as I'm sure it did in 48% of UK homes, with the morning news.  This double whammy of bad karma had me searching through my picture gallery looking for something or anything to cheer myself up and I found it.

I took this picture on October 9th 2012 when bulldozers arrived beside our house and started digging up trees and opening up the forest.  We were newly arrived back from the UK and gossip was flying that we would be neighbours to a) blocks of flats b) a compound for a thousand stray dogs, c) an open prison and d) a helicopter landing pad.  Twenty years previously we had actively fought off an open-cast mine company but neither of us had the guts for another big campaign so we were resigned to take whatever came and decided we'd build a big wall and wear headphones,

And what happened.....

...this did. 

The Department of forestry built us a fire break and planted fire resistant fir trees,  which are almost a metre tall now,  interspersed with Oleander and a few fig and carob trees.  We are safer and have a better view.  I'm taking heart from this example; not giving in to negativity and holding on to hope. It might all come right in the end after all.  

22 comments:

  1. All we really have is hope for a future unknown. I am hoping very much for everything to work out for you all. And if you need to let off steam, scream or shout...I'm here on the end of the phone. Much love xxx

    ReplyDelete
  2. Aids to getting about resisted in this household too....what we need is a footman for Higher Authority to lean on.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Annie, Hang in there, we think of you often. As you say, it is important to look for reasons to be optimistic for your mental and physical health, which is tough these days. As an example, I think one can more positive about the Brexit vote since for whatever reason people voted Brexit, what the EU did to Greece took off whatever blinders that may have remained over my eyes.

    ReplyDelete
  4. . . never surrender, guys - ever! Surrender leads to the darkest of places - having teetered on the edge . . .

    ReplyDelete
  5. So very sorry to hear what a hard time you're both having. Wishing you everything you wish yourselves.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Jane. All support is very helpful

      Delete
  6. We all need a little hope for the future. Whatever comes our way, we just get on with it, don't we? What choice do we have?

    ReplyDelete
  7. Merhaba sevgili Annie'cigim, do please hang in there and do please reach out; thoughts and prayers for you and I think carpe diem should reign the day for us all.. We have a song in Turkish called "Umidim olsun yeter". "If only I have hope" - very much believe in this. Keep the hope alive, enjoy the moment and please know we're out here for you, please know you have a home in Surrey anytime for a little break or two. Do hope and can't wait to see you in Bodrum, I may even have a chance to cook for you : ) Cok selam ve sevgilerimle, Umitle, Ozlem xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  8. Firewalls do spring up in the most unexpected places --
    Your writing thru many years has given me much pleasure and may that be rewarded.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Sending you love and hugs. I approve of the firebreaks. Axxx

    ReplyDelete
  10. Can we come and live with you? Feeling very unnerved here in the UK. We'll grow old disgracefully together! x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Your name is on the guest house - any time.

      Delete
  11. Sorry, I could have sworn I'd commented, Annie. We all need hope to hold onto when circumstances force unwelcome change on us. Your lovely view, which also helps to guarantee the safety of your house, is one such encourager of hope.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Wow, well we all know the importance of firebreaks at the moment, don't we. It's not always doom and gloom with the Turkish authorities is it?
    Sending lots of love and hope and best wishes to you and your family from Fethiye. xx

    ReplyDelete