Last month blogger gal pal Kate Johnston revealed her passion for wolves, encouraging us to take a moment to think about how much we could save if we all fought for something wild. In my series, The Life Enthusiast Chronicles, fantastic humans from all over uncover what makes them passionate about life.
Today I’m stoked to bring you—all the way from Australia—Dianne Gray. I’ve had the privilege of getting to know Dianne through the blogging universe. Along the way I have found a fellow writer with a heart of gold, someone I look up to very much. So far, of her many novels out there, I have only read “The Everything Theory”…and I was blown away. Beyond the amazing award-winning author that she is, Dianne is a terrific human who has a knack for making us laugh and cry as we read her blog which explores the beautiful transitions of life. She’s a Life Enthusiast all the way. (If you haven’t read one of Dianne’s books, you’re missing out.)
Connect with Dianne on Twitter and Facebook.
Take it away Miss Dianne…
I was so excited when Britt asked me to join her Life Enthusiast group. I love all the bloggers in this group and felt it a privilege to become one of them.
My life has been a series of ups and downs and I figure I need the downs to appreciate the ups. For many years while I was putting the kids through school in the city I struggled with rental properties and landlords and every day I wished I had a place of my own in the country again.
In 2012 that wish became a reality.
But the way I got my wish was certainly not a fairy-tale. It started as a series of terrible events.
My hubby became ill and was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. This diagnoses just so happened to coincide with an interstate visit from his parents, my diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis, and a work bully who had just about sent me around the bend. We kept all this news quiet from his parents and then three days into the visit his father suffered a stroke and was taken to the hospital where he spent the next three months.
The day before hubby was due to have his operation (Whipple Procedure) he accompanied his parents home on the 3 hour plane flight and then flew back the same day. He was in so much pain when he returned he could hardly walk. I took him straight to the hospital where they immediately operated. Ten hours later he was in recovery and I was told he had gone into renal failure during the procedure, but they had managed to get him back. They had also inadvertently nicked his aorta, but fixed that as well (poor guy!). The good news was that they had removed all the cancer and the prognosis was excellent.
When a traumatic event presents itself it can be a real test of character, but when multiple traumatic events hit within a few weeks, you need to dig deep to find the strength to carry on.
During this time I started the habit of looking up at the sky for a few minutes every day and thanking the universe for my beautiful life. I know this sounds crazy given the chaos that was taking place around me, but I found it comforting and knew that, in the scheme of things, I was luckier than most.
Hubby’s parents had left their car with us as his father was not allowed to drive until he had completely recovered. So later that year, when hubby was back to full strength, we drove the car 3,000 kilometres back to his parents on the farm. When we arrived we realised his father was still weak and his mother had begun to show signs of dementia.
There was only one thing we could do – move back to the farm and take care of them.
We had an old shack we lived in many years ago, but it had taken a fair bit of damage from the last cyclone so we needed to fix it.
I retired from my job in the corporate world and hubby resigned and found a job close to where his parents live.
One day, totally out of the blue, a friend who is a news reporter contacted us and told us an old Rugby Union Club in the city nearby was due to be demolished. He told us the owner said if anyone wanted it they could take it away.
We took the Rugby Union Club and had it put up on the farm – and I guess the rest is history. Introducing the RUC…
My writing has taken a back-seat during this time, but I’m progressively working my way through another three novels. Hey – better late than never.
I think it’s important to be thankful for what we have in life and what is good instead of focusing on what we don’t have and what is bad. Sometimes a series of horrible events can lead us on a different path and, in the end maybe that is the path we were supposed to take all along.
Britt Skrabanek 
Although I was familiar with Dianne’s tale, having it all wrapped up in one post and in the context of life enthusiast really underscores that she is just that, to have been able to navigate and write her way through it. Truly an inspiration as a person, blogger, writer and RUC renovator 🙂
Thank you for coming over to read, my dear! I didn’t realise until I wrote it how I’d ‘wiped things aside’ and just got on with it – particularly the MS. I kind of forgot about it for a while (which seems odd to me now!) 😉
I’ve read your blog for quite some time, Dianne, but I didn’t realize some of these details. You are such an awesome person and I admire how you have been able to be thankful even when going through such turmoil. I’ve enjoyed seeing the transformation of the RUC, seeing your amazing critter photos and reading your always interesting posts. I always look forward to reading what you share 🙂
Thank you, Janna. A lot of us go through these rough times and I know you’ve had your fair share as well. The best we can do is get on with life and hope we’ll come through these times unscathed 😉
I have always loved your outlook on life Dianne. And you are so right, you are where you are suppose to be and have traveled the roads you were supposed to travel. You are a strong woman and I admire you greatly. Can’t wait to see what the next 3 books will be about! And you know I love the RUC, bugs and all 🙂
It’s interesting, Jackie – but I’m a great believer in fate (and I think that’s what get me through the tough times). Thanks so much for taking the time to read through Britt’s post ❤
Dianne, I love your positive outlook on life despite being so hard hit with difficult challenges and illnesses. You are so inspiring! And the RUC is gorgeous. Like you said, maybe it’s the path you were supposed to be on. One never knows. I guess we must always push ahead. Enjoy the RUC!
Forward and onward and upward, Amy! These potholes in the road of life must make us stronger (somehow!) 😉
It is a real privilege to get to know better a writer I so greatly admire. You are truly a life enthusiast, Dianne. Life does present us with challenges but for those with the courage to stay centered and focused on what really matters, doors seem to fly open. Wonderful guest post.
Thank you so much, Francis. I’m writing my Location, Location and should have it finished very soon. I’m really looking forward to your guest post as well 😀
Dianne Gray.. is a very special person, I’ve followed her bog for a while and knew of a few hardships but this is an eye opener… having a wife that has a similar out look on life gives me a better understanding of Dianne.. Linda (my wife) has had 3 different cancers as well as a rare disease that required a 9 hour op to remove 90 odd lymph nodes from her neck and facial area, to her life is one big smile… Does nothing get you woman down?? I love Dianne’s blog. her RUC has been a part of my life as the family constructed it… Dianne is an inspiration to all that read her blog but now I stand in awe of her…
Please read blog for bog…
LOL 😉
Awww – Rob, you’re an inspiration. I absolutely love your pictures and hubby asks me every day ‘Did Bulldog post today?’ when he gets home from work! 😀
Wow! I like hearing how other people make it through difficult times. I can learn from it and be reminded that my life is pretty easy. Plus, I have much to be thankful for. Thanks for the reminder!
I’m the same, Jilanne – so many people have struggles and even through mine I thought ‘it could be worse!’ Coming out the other side relatively unscathed is the best we can hope and strive for 😉
You are indeed quite a lady – and, quite a family! My admiration for you goes beyond the idle praise! God bless you and yours!
God bless you too, Billy Ray and thank you so much for coming over and reading and commenting. xxx
It proves that we’re all stronger than we could ever imagine. I like that looking up to the sky thing. Our version is that we try to take a walk in the forest everyday. (Not too difficult, because the forest is right behind our building site.) It connects us to nature and reminds us of why we’ve made all the crazy moves to get to where we are. Your RUC story (and its lovely outcome) are inspiring.
Thank you, Alta. I still look up at the sky as often as possible and thank the universe for my beautiful life! I’m very much an outdoors person as well and love that fact that you will have a forest behind your new place!
I always love reading your words, Dianne. What a beautiful idea to stop, look to the sky and give thanks everyday. I will do that today… and think of you and the fantastic renovations of the RUC!
Wonderful, Letizia! Talk to the sky – it’s always there and it always listens! 😀
Lovely, thought-provoking post – but then so many of your posts are.
Thank you, Anna – I’m very flattered by your words xxx
Such a heart-warming and awe-inspiring story, Dianne. I absolutely love keeping up with your adventures on your blog, and I’ve so enjoyed your books too. That pic of you and your family is so timeless. Sylvia
It’s wonderful to see you here, Sylvia! The potholes we go through in life are often stranger than fiction. I’m really looking forward to your adventures with your project (and before and after pics, of course) 😀