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A Walk in My Shoes is an invitation to accompany me on some of the many pathways down which my life has taken me. I found it easier to express the emotional impact of some of these pathways through verse rather than the detail of a prose description.

For many reasons I developed a keen interest in human emotions early in life and in the differing reactions events have on the individual. Over the years I have learnt how beautiful the human spirit is, especially in times of tragedy.

How many times have we all seen how easily an individual is upset and angered at what seem small trivial events? Then, when a major trauma arises, that same individual rises magnificently to meet the challenge and displays all the strength, love and sacrifice of which the human spirit is capable?

These are the times when we see Humanity in all its glory.

Cystic fibrosis is a condition that has been a major part of my adult life as three of my five children were born with this condition. I have been privileged to see at first hand, the strength, the struggle, the pain and suffering, and ultimately the triumph of children born with this condition. Their triumph is that they live life to the fullest no matter how short the span of their years, against very tough odds.

Obviously, this has shaped my development as an individual and I can honestly say that I believe that has been a very positive shaping. I would not deny that there has been heartache, anxiety, stress and apprehension but there has also been great joy and fulfilment.

Cancer too has been a part of my life and indeed a very large milestone. I think of my life as being in two parts, pre-cancer and postcancer. Surviving cancer set me free in many ways. The shock of discovery really brought home to me how much we take life for granted. I was and am so grateful to recover and continue living.

I often reflect, particularly at special times, such as my children’s weddings, my grandchildren’s births and most important of all, the final journey to freedom of my son, how much I would have missed. At these times I renew my gratitude at my survival.

To grow old with my husband was something I, at one point, thought would never be, and now here I am in safe harbour. For however long or short it may be, it is good. Not too long after I had had the mastectomy, I developed fibromyalgia, a condition new to me and as I found out, to many doctors. The struggle to accept fibromyalgia and learn to live with its limitations was, I must admit, made more difficult by the scepticism of many doctors. However, I am happy to relate that it is now accepted as a very genuine condition and I too have learnt to admit it into my life. It is a multi-faceted condition and can be difficult to live with but there is now help “out there” I am happy to say.

Some of the pathways are light and are my reaction to every day advertisements or events in life.

Others are the result of my musing (as we all do from time to time) on where exactly human beings in general and I in particular “fit” in the natural world.

I suppose as a whole, these verses cover the spectrum of life from birth to death and the miracle of survival and the ability of the human spirit to overcome.

Thank you for taking the time to buy this book as all proceeds go straight to the Cystic Fibrosis Association and hopefully enough people will buy it to make a difference in the lives and medical treatment of the present day youngsters with this dreadful condition.

Anna Melia
September 2010

Discovered!

Hidden by bushes, not moving, he stands,
As footsteps approach he clenches his hands
Tho’ he’s sure that his cover is totally safe
His body still shakes, this untidy waif!

A shadow now looms over dark leafy lair
“Come out now – I know you’re in there”!

Laughing blue eyes peer through his cover
“Tiger, its bed time, that has to be mother”!

Just when the game was coming alive
Life really sucks
WHEN YOU’RE ONLY AGED FIVE!!!!!!

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