On missing some of the more subtle bits

This post has been inspired by the brilliant writing workshop brought to us by Josie at sleep is for the Weak. I've wanted to submit something for ages but you know how time gets the better of you?

I've chosen prompt 2 as my inspiration;

Tell me about something you miss - a sound, a taste, a touch... something sensual that evokes powerful emotion. - Inspired by Tara's beautiful post in which she laments over time moving too fast: "The one where I learn to appreciate the little things".

At the end of last year I 'came out' to lots of people who had no idea about my 'secret' by writing a truly personal post on my journey with post natal depression and whilst I have alway said that if I could turn back the clock, I would still do what I did - the reality is that I miss many things about my old life.

Now at 37, I am nearing the point of having lived half of my life dealing with the lasting legacy of my depression.

When the summer sun fades and the cold, dark nights set in my mood slips and I start to struggle. I struggle with the rain and the cold and the snow and the effects that the elements have on my patched up body. But I keep my head down and keep on going. After all - I did this to myself.

I miss dancing.

And without the ability to dance a huge part of me went away forever. I miss the feeling that surges through my very essence as the fusion of movement and music take me far, far away. The heat of stage lights. The comfort of daily class, my body moving instinctively from years of re-visiting the same exercises day after day after day. The smell of a sweaty studio and the excitement that it promises and of course the aches, blisters and bruises that run so deep that they are part and parcel of who you are.

I miss bending my knees.

Even as a dancer I had never before considered that you can't bend your knees if your ankle doesn't work - and why would I? It's just one of those things that you take for granted.

But it doesn't you know and that means that I can't jump, lift heavy objects without wrecking my back or dig.

To be honest, the digging thing was actually a recent revelation and as it was the first time I'd attempted to dig a hole in the last fifteen years I am cheating by saying I miss it. But believe me, it came as a stark shock and one that I was totally unprepared for as I attempted to bury my cat.

I miss shoes.

I mean I really, really miss shoes and the joy that (I think) they bring. I look longingly at magazines and taunt myself with thoughts of 'what it' and 'if only...'

I dream of sky high shoe boots and Burberry Prorsum sandals, of brogues and ballerina flats, of Laboutin and Jimmy Choo. Of the freedom to wear anything I want - or even nothing at all.

I stare into shop windows with the awe that I felt as a child being dragged past the sweet shop. Wanting but not getting.

Every clothing choice that I make, every single day begins with stupid evil shoes, as I weigh up just how long i am going to be able to walk without quietly retiring in pain.

And shopping..... Well it's a brave soul that chooses to shoe shop with me as I simmer and deflate in equal measures with every pair set before me.

ModelGirl and ModelGirl alone can brighten my mood with her quips of "Too high" or "Too flat", and I wonder how she, at the tender age of seven has skillfully mastered a potential match? When even after fifteen years of looking, I still manage to bring home the most inappropriate shoes at every given opportunity.

And before I go, I have to admit that I miss Cheese Snaps.

I went through a stage of being able to eat a whole six pack in one sitting even though they made my mouth so sore that I couldn't eat anything else for days.

Seriously though Walkers... what is it with the Tomato flavour? They just don't cut it.

An in an odd twist - that can only be found online.... whilst searching for an image of Cheese Snaps to illustrate my post, I chanced upon a Facebook group with over 3000 members all calling for their return!

Seems I'm not the only one to miss the more subtle bits.

* I've had a few Twitter messages today from people being unable to comment due to my site being down. YummyMummyTips.com is in transit but fear not! My blogspot address is still live and kicking.... mummy-tips.blogspot.com