Joni Mitchell’s Both Sides Now is still my favourite song. With my hearing loss, I don’t hear music like I used to. I don’t hear the full richness of all my strings and things. But I can still hear the melody and single instruments like the piano and the lyrics. I can still enjoy music somehow. There is always something to be grateful for.
Yes, I’ve lived on both sides now. There’s ups and downs. Something’s lost but something’s gained. I’ve learned acceptance and that life has many sides. It’s not all or nothing. There’s life after loss and that it can still be wonderful and beautiful.
I’ve been struggling with my words this round of the Ultimate Challenge. Sometimes my fatigue gets the better of me. I’ve had to listen and give it some respect. I pick up the pace when I can.
onethousandandtwo 
Beautiful! I remember reading your blogs from the last UBC and yes you can definitely say you have lived both sides. Continue to listen to your mind, body and soul and show up as you can.
Lily I love that you are seeing both sides, your post is inspiring. We all face challenges, some are dramatically life changing as yours is. By finding the beauty in the change I see your strength and a will to thrive. Please give yourself the grace of time and self-love. God is with you, carrying you, and loving you throughout the journey. Take care of yourself and consider posting small wins as you discover them and perhaps that will make your writing less work. God Bless You. Cindy Rae
Your reflections on loss and acceptance are very moving — especially around music and how it changes yet still remains meaningful. I was deeply touched (and delighted) by how Both Sides Now was sung and signed in CODA, and at the same time I feel genuine sadness reading about your hearing loss; the grace with which you describe “something lost, something gained” really stays with me.
What a beautiful rendition of “Both Sides Now.” It touched my heart so much. Thank you for sharing that, and thank you for your words. Your words touch my heart, too. Sometimes, words do come hard because the essential things live in your heart and they can be hard to describe.
My story is similar Lily with the ups and downs. I can hear the music but due to a stroke I had in 2000 which affected my throat I can’t sing like I used to and I loved to sing especially at church. I have adapted to changing from soprano to alto in some songs since I can’t hit the high octaves without my throat closing. But we both have to do what we can and give it our best!