My First Concussion & My First Couple

Analog Collage Art by ADB

An old Japanese proverb says that you have three faces. One that you show the world, the second that you show your close friends and family. And the third? The face that is for you and yours - your truest reflection that you do not show others. I would like to extend on this as, at times, I feel like I have faces that I have yet to meet. 

Although I may have not put pen-to-paper or acted upon physically building AB Celebrancy in recent weeks, the thought is always there ticking away amongst thoughts of “have I cleaned my daughter’s water bottle?” or the dreaded and unavoidable “what am I cooking for dinner tonight?” One thought that was so pertinent to me in recent days was work. My day job is a Diverse Learning Case Manager. What that means is I work with students that require adjustments and strategies for their current levels of attainment, according to their current climate, circumstances and temperament. One day, after dealing with a range of issues, I came to realise that I had forgotten to give a student their medication and in a flurry, I raced to find him only to be met with an unexpected challenge. A challenge that no adjustments could have prevented. 

As I step out of my office and open the door like a scurrying rat, I quickly scan the playground and feel the biomechanics of my legs, one going forward as I endeavour to find my unmedicated student. Worst case scenarios fill my mind, as I imagine my student climbing the flagpole whilst beating on their chest like a five-foot-tall King Kong. And as King Kong grabs Ann Darrow, there was no escaping my fate or my head, as it apparently has a massive target on the back of it for a kicked football by an A-grade goal kicker. And there it was – my first concussion.

At first, it was difficult to ascertain if I was concussed or simply just a stressed teacher and mother of young children. But after scans, doctors and physio appointments, copious amounts of pain medication to deal with the surging pain, fatigue, nausea and bewilderment, there was no denying it. And to top it off, just a little sprinkle of whiplash. For over a week, I was left to rot on the couch as things around me piled up and the fear of spacing out while driving fully cemented my house arrest.

Little did I know that my uncharacterised skepticism would be misplaced this time. I received an email from who I thought was a dog (Team Bark) about a couple looking to get married in plenty enough time to get my head around it all, in an area that is within my locale. I responded, they said they were available for a phone call that very moment, when I was meant to be on lunch duty but I was at home due to my ouchie head. I must have made some sense over the phone because my concussion made my first couple possible.

If I were to be honest, the giant sloth started to claw his way back into my amygdala. Having spent money on my website, supplies, and a monthly association fee, should I just cut my losses and retain the titles of simply mother, teacher and person? Is the looming idea that I am a wedded-less marriage celebrant too much to carry? Then there, an angel who was searching for me at 12pm on a Monday found me. Interestingly enough, the etymology of their name means “God is my judge”. Surely I need to take this as a sign to surrender to the universe and trust that I will attract those couples that are looking for marriage celebrant like me.