My stories of the challenges involved in overcoming adversity and less than perfect situations obviously resonated with our Maverick Spirit readers. Many emails recounted stories upsets overcome, challenges won and experiences that at the time were life changing and subsequently character building.

One story is today's issue of The Maverick Spirit and it came from Christine and it started:

Yesterday did not start well!

My husband went to work as usual at 5 am and I went outside to see him off. After he left I turned to walk inside the house only to find the door had locked behind me - - classic mistake you may say.

I found our spare key outside and tried the lock - - no luck - my husband had renewed the door lock the day before but not changed the key. So I wandered around to the front door and tried that one in the dark. The lock turned but the door remained locked... "what to do?" I thought.

So standing outside in my pyjamas at 3 degrees at 5 am in the morning in the dark was no fun at all. No mobile phone, no lights on and pitch black. I tried all the windows and doors around the house but all were secure.

Being a very positive person I considered my options.

I could stay in the shed until my husband returned at 9am, but that would not allow me to get to work at 8am.

I may be able to find some clothes in the dryer in the shed but alas it was empty.

I could pop next door and ask to phone my husband to come home, but we live on a 5 acre property and it is a fair way to walk in the dark in bare feet!

I could drive to my husbands work and get the key but I did not have the car keys.

So I chose the only avenue left. I would break the glass next to the door lock!

I chose a lovely rock and threw it at the window but to my horror it bounced off the glass and only just missed the car window parked opposite!

By now I was cold, angry and becoming a little upset in my frustration so I picked up the rock and attacked the window with all my might - it shattered!

Now I was inside in the warm surrounded by glass with plenty of time to get to work after a nice hot shower.

I phoned my husband who decided the situation was so ludicrous all he could do was laugh despite what would be a $250.00 repair bill.

And then I discovered the spare key I had used on the front door would have worked on both locks on the front door. Yes that's right - there were 2 locks and I had missed the first one in the dark.

Refreshed, I made my way to work and it was uneventful until lunch time.

At lunch time the children in my class poured out of the class and I went to the staffroom to retell the story to my colleagues at school where I teach. One of the other teachers said " Well it could have been worse! At least you were wearing your pyjamas:)"

After lunch I returned to the classroom only to find the children had closed the door before lunch and they remained firmly locked. I sent 2 children to the office to find the keys. After 5 minutes wait they returned having been to the toilets and but had forgotten the keys!

I just gave up and took the class for a run around the oval.

The kids were ratty. I was nearly in tears and the naughty kids in the class were at their worst. I told them all to gather closer and stand up straight. In the middle of the oval I retold the story of my bad day.

We all laughed until we cried and then we had a joint jelly shake together. We shouted, screamed jumped up and down, had a tantrum and laughed and laughed and laughed. We calmed down we relaxed and went back to the office and the classroom and had a great afternoon.

I hope this brings a little lightness into your day---now I am off to work

Now I am positive I have the keys somewhere !!!!

Thinking of you Christine Thompson