It started with a toothache which swiftly moved into a full head and face ache.  Within 24 hours my gums were throbbing and the right side of my face had swelled.   I felt as though my gums were on fire and my head was going to explode.  It was New Years Eve.

Diagnosis an abscess.

An abscess on my upper right gum the size of a twenty cent coin.  It had blistered like a boil and was most likely caused by an infection of some sort in my mouth.  Apparently I am prone to infections as my immune system is low.  Fantastic!  Who gets an abscess on New Years Eve?  But in a strange way it was also a fitting send off for 2015.  A big unexpected painful sore full of gross fluid threatening to pop at any minute.  Yep that pretty much summarises my 2015.

So today I woke up, the first day of 2016, with a strange taste in my mouth.  I woke up on the first day of the new year that promised better.  A promise of a year that will bring strength and transition.  A promise of a year that will bring goodness and fulfilment of hope.  I woke up on this morning with an exploded abscess.  I woke up on this morning, the first day of the new year, with a mouth full of pus.

Good morning 2016.   And thank you 2015 for the foul tasting liquid rolling across my tongue.  Your final hooray.  Your final gift.

Farewell 2015.  I learnt a lot from you and you are a year that will be forever etched in my mind and heart.

Hello 2016.  We have had a bit of a rocky start but I just know we are going to do great things together.