Life can be a curious tapestry, woven with threads of joy, sorrow and everything in between. For me, the years of writing my Holistic fibro Fighter Blog have been a whirlwind of swirling emotions, coloured by the vibrant hues of chronic pain, the menopause and the somber tones of loss. Yet amidst the storms a beacon of shimmering hope has always remained: Cyril the unicorn.
Cyril’s arrival back in 2017 was as unexpected as it was magical. The day before my father died, a dear friend gifted me a handmade unicorn, he wasn’t a grand, prancing creature from myth. He was a humble hand-stitched creation, crafted by herself and her daughter-in-law, who had woven their own magic into his very being. This wasn’t just any unicorn; this was Cyril, a whimsical creature with blue eyes and a mane of purples, pinks and a vibrant aquamarine. In that moment of profound grief, Cyril became my anchor, a symbol of hope amidst the crashing waves of loss.
Cyril became a constant companion, weaving his knitted magic into the fabric of my grief and my fight against fibromyalgia. He sat beside me as I gave my first radio interview sharing my experience of living with fibro and how I was healing myself holistically. He seemed to absorb the raw emotions of my recent grief and his gentle gaze a silent cheer as he accompanied me to yoga classes his hooves nestled in my yoga bag, his presence adding a touch of whimsy to the downward dogs and wobbly warrior poses I was trying to bend my body into. He often encouraged me to laugh at the most inappropriate times, mainly at myself. He was a gentle reminder to breathe, to move, to flow even through the pain. He braved the sonic waves of gong baths and the ethereal realms of shamanic journeys, his button eyes wide with wonder as I explored the depths of my being.
Cyril isn’t just a cuddly toy or a witness, he is an active participant; he is a testament to the boundless power of love and friendship. He is a reminder that even in the darkest time, a little bit of sparkle can go a long way. He nudged me to step outside of my comfort zone to embrace new experiences and find moments of joy, even when the world felt heavy.
We ventured to sun-drenched Ibiza, my husband was surprised to find Cyril gazing out of the plane window where he had appeared from my bag, the island’s vibrant energy echoing the rainbow hues of his mane and tail. We listened to drumming on the beach as we watched the sun go down, a silent celebration of life and its precious moments. Cyril was my talisman, my knitted guardian angel, reminding me that even in the throes of grief, pain and living with Fibro, there was still magic to be found, adventures to be had, and laughter to be shared.
But as time spun its inevitable web, my life has shifted once more, the grief quieter, my healing journey evolving and the need for Cyril’s constant presence less urgent. He found his place on a shelf, watching over my changing landscape. Yet even in his knitted stillness, Cyril’s magic endures. He is a silent sentinel, a reminder of the strength and hope that flickered even when the world seemed shrouded in grey, the rainbow glinting through the fibro fog, the spirit of the magic I have been able to weave into the tapestry of my life. He is the love that carried me through, the friendships that held me up, and the laughter I shared. For that, I will forever be grateful.
Cyril’s story is not just mine; it is a testament to the transformative power of love, friendship, healing and a little bit of glittery magic. It’s a reminder that even in the face of loss and illness, hope can flicker, joy can bloom, and adventures both big and small, await.
So, to you, when you find yourself facing your own storm or simply seeking a little extra magic in your life, remember even the smallest dose of hope can make a world of difference, that even the smallest spark can ignite a flame and that even in the quietest corners, love, hope and healing can bloom. A Cyril is waiting to be discovered, find your own source of hope, your beacon of light and weave your own magical tapestry one sequin-stitched step at a time and let that shimmer light the way.
Don’t forget to sprinkle some of your own magic into the world! You never know who might need a little unicorn sparkle to brighten their day, for you may be the warrior of light that they never knew they needed.
And who knows, maybe one day, Cyril and I will embark on another adventure, his multicolored mane catching the sunlight as we dance towards a new horizon. Until then, he sits on his shelf, as a silent beacon of hope, reminding me that the magic never truly fades, it simply waits for the right moment to shimmer one more.
May this coming year, be the one in which you begin to sparkle. With love and a touch of unicorn magic.
Jane The Holistic Fibro Fighter. xx
Ps This blog is dedicated to all of you who have and still continue to support my healing path, because sometimes the most powerful magic isn’t in the grand gestures, but in the quietness, the silent support, the unwavering presence of you being there, and of course to Cyril, the unicorn who reminds me that even in the darkest times, there is always a rainbow waiting to be discovered.
Holistic Fibro Fighter 