Not That Long Ago

'I'm Dan and not that long ago I had a stroke, and for the first six months after I was really depressed, didn't know what to do with myself and sat about the house moping.

I'd worked in heavy industry since I left school and knew even when I was well enough I wouldn't be able to go back to my old job. I went along to the open day picture above to find out about adult learning in my area, just because it was something to do, and although I didn't sign up for anything that day I did the next month.

I went to a flower arranging class-my daughter was getting married in a few months and because I was worried about how much the flowers would cost I thought I'm sure I could learn how to do them myself.

I was the only man in my class and everyone wanted to know my story-why I was there, what did I do before, why this class, it was great fun and I began to feel a bit better. Working with flowers improved my mood week by week and I got to take a lovely arrangement home too, that made me very popular. 

We often gave one of my arrangements to our elderly neighbour as the previous week's was still alive and well. So for five months I practiced and practiced till I made six bouquets for the wedding, everyone said how lovely they were and I know I should have given the team a picture of them for this story, but I wanted to show folks what it looks like when you go along to an open day. Not scary at all-just a bunch of folks wanting to get out and try new things, learn things that help them take charge again.

I signed up for a diploma in floristry that August and I now have a very small business doing speciality flowers-I can't compete with the big shops but I'm doing okay. Okay enough to start a course in horticulture. Now-at 45 I have a new lease of life and am loving it. If anybody is thinking will I won't I-I say give it a try you never know what might happen. Who knows where things may take you but sometimes it's wise to go with the flow, I'm glad I did.

During lock down people have still been ordering flowers from me to cheer themselves up-we practice all the safety requirements and although its quieter than usual I'm quite glad. It's given me time to pick up my studies again which is good because I'm looking for a new challenge, it's amazing just how much I've changed and I certainly never thought I'd hear myself say that when I started out'.