Ming has taken the good car down south, with a best friend, to a New Year’s Eve party because he only has an automatic licence and our very old ute (truck) is manual, so guess who is driving that? Yes, me, and it is so ancient that just turning the steering wheel left and right etc., on even a short drive, is equivalent to a two-hour arm workout at the gym (not that I’ve ever done that).
We finally have a date for the court case – 22nd January – but until then Ming still has his driver’s licence, so he is making the most of it. Of course, since the car accident, I am very nervous about him driving but, except for the aberration in October, he is a careful driver and is not a drinker, so I hope they both have a great, safe time, but look forward to their return tomorrow.
Ming is off all of the strong painkillers now and just needs panadol occasionally; the bandages are off and he is definitely straighter again and the pre-op. pain has gone. It was a bit of a shock to see that the new scar is almost as long as the one from his original scoliosis operation (almost the whole length of his spine) so I guess they had to rummage around a bit to replace the two broken bits of titanium – yes two! and pack crushed bone from the bone bank all around the area to ensure it all knits back together.
I have probably posted these photos before, but I like them because they show his character. Yes, we have our arguments and conflicts, and we wrestle in different ways with the anxiety about the accident, the kids, the future, but we always talk things through. It is so good to see Ming bouncing back again.
Happy New Year, Ming, my wonderful party animal son, and may all your dreams come true!
Note: Luckily he doesn’t read my blog any more because he would probably cringe at my sentimentality here – ha!
jmgoyder 
Brilliant photos… and he sure seems to be in with the pretty girls,,, that should give an Aussie Mom a few nervous moments… hope all goers well on the 22nd I will be thinking about you on that date… do you need me to come over to give a character reference and a reason as to why he needs to keep his licence ??… Have a good year Julie, and may it all turn out they way you wish it for yourself…
so good to see, he is on his way back ) and happy new year to you all julie –
His spirit just jumps off the screen!! Handsome and vital and loving life – imperfect? They all are, but far more perfect than flawed. Love to you both…and btw, he will read these one of these days and beam with love and pride.
How wonderful to hear he is off all serious painkillers. It’s amazing how the young recover.
Best wishes for a very Happy New Year and hope 2014 is a good one for you, Anthony & Ming.
Vicki
xx
Happy New Year to you and Anthony and Ming. Ming has awesome recovery powers! And the pictures are lovely and lively. 😉
Great photos Julie … I especially love the one with the three girls on the waterfront – so cool.
Just wishing you all a happy new year i know there will be difficult times ahead but the love that shines through in your photos will carry you through them xxx
Moms are allowed to be sentimental forever. Glad he’s having some fun and Happy New Year to you. Good luck with all that’s ahead.
Julie, It is quite clear that Ming has extremely good taste in female friends LOL LOL. It is so good to see him on the mend, and enjoying life. He hasn’t had much fun at all since the accident, so this should be good for him. Though I would be like you, trusting and worrying at the same time. I hope your New Years was nice. We look forward to better things in 2014. Take care, Bill
Ming’s personality leaps off the pictures! I remember the time before power steering, parallel parking was a workout, complete with sweat and sore arms. Those were the days, my friend. lol. My two read my blog and they are very vocal about their opinions, so does my hubby. I choose my words carefully. I am glad that Ming is seriously on the mend, it must be a huge weight off your shoulders and take some pressure off your mind.
Happy New Year, Julie! xoxo
Ha! really love that 1st photo! Happy New Year to you, Ants and Ming and may 2014 bring you peace, love and great moments of joy!
Diana xo
Great happy pics, Julie. It’s great to see that Ming has bounced back again. I wish you and your family a very happy 2014. Keep smiling. 🙂 xx
It’s good that he’s getting away with his friends I think… the court case is likely weighing on him too…… hope you have a nice evening too… and a much less challenging New Year…. Diane xo
It is indeed great to see him bouncing back. Cute photos. And, fingers crossed and wishing you well for Jan. 22. Happy New Year.
Good that he is much better. At least it will be nice and warm at New Year in Australia, unlike in the UK where it is cold, wet and there’s another storm coming.
Hope everything goes well in 2014.
In Canada we don’t have a different license for automatic and standard. Didn’t realize others did! See, learn something new everyday.
What I love about the photos is a) Ming looks so happy and b) they could be here in Canada, or the US or anywhere in the world — I love how their youth is so vibrant it radiates.
Hugs and Happy Happy New Year lovely Julie!
So glad to see he’s healing well. I’ll be thinking of you both, hoping for the best possible outcome as the court date comes near. Happy New Year, Julie, wishing you, Ming, and Anthony peace and blessings in the New Year.
It always looks in his photos that he is a barrel of laughs, and yet he is loving and kind. I hope he has a great time and comes home safe. What a great way to end this year, with his health climbing back on top. Happy New Year my dear friend
It is good to read that the surgery was a success and he is straighter and out of pain and enjoying life once more. Hope 2014 is a better year for you and Ming and Anthony
So wonderful to see such vibrancy, such smiles. Happy New Year to you all – and every good hope for continuing good news for Ming. It’s time to allow him to get on with life, sez me!
I’m so glad to hear he’s bouncing back so quickly and recovering so nicely! Great photos – they really do show that he is a character. Happy New Year Julie!
Gorgeous photos, Julie. Just gorgeous :). I so much relate to how you feel about Ming, him & Daniel being so close in age.
Daniel is tonight (1 Jan) and was last night in Rye for New Years. He’s not driving but he’s not home, & that’s unnerving enough to me! OMG, you can only control so much.
Awesome, beautiful post. Bet he had a wonderful time. Hope you did too 🙂
I hope and wish everything to be fine for Ming, photographs are so nice. Happy New Year dear Julie, and my Best Wishes, love, nia
Both of our boys ditched us for New Year’s Eve. We ordered wings & fries for supper, and they came to eat with us, then took off to party. Their mom stayed at our place and we watched the ball drop on TV–as exciting as we wanted to be:) Good luck with your court date, and I hope 2014 is good to both you and Ming.
Glad that Ming is back .. in the game with his friends. He had it rough for months now both mentally and physical … so wonderful to see him as a life loving young man again.
I understand that the court case is hanging over you and has an impact on both of you – but at least you have a date now …
I’m sure Ming will come through without any harsher punishment .. it was maybe careless thinking to make it more fun for the kids, but I’m sure that they will see what great and stable young man he is. Thinking of you … both.
Thanks Viveka! I will be glad when the end of Jan. comes and we know Ming’s verdict – I can’t thank you enough for your friendship and support! Julie xxxxx
Julie, I wish there was more I can do for you both … but so fare away – my friendship you have and my support too, when ever you need them.
I wish I could do more for you too, Viveka! But we can’t because we are separated by geography, however we can, hopefull, inspire each other. You are a rocket of inspiration to me my beautiful friend.
Yes, his character does come through…and his wit and handsomeness shine!! You are blessed, dear Julie.
Absolutely!