Walking Spirit

It's hard to believe that nine years have passed.  It's hard to believe that at the start of year ten I'm learning to walk on a new pair of prosthetic legs (my third set) that I could only dream about when this leg of my journey began. (pun intended)  I'm not going to do a long post this year because I want the previous post, which is a testament to the many wonderful people who are supporting me during this period of transition, to stay visible for a while longer.  Let me simply say this...

I love my life.  No matter how difficult it gets, no matter what pain I may have experienced or challenges (like sleep apnea and type 2 diabetes on top of being a bilateral above knee amputee) may come my way, I love my life.  I sit on my deck, writing this post, facing west, warmed by the fading light of the setting sun shining on me through the yellowed leaves of a Golden Rain tree, after spending my "survival day" in relative solitude (as I prefer to do) and my body, soul, and mind are peaceful.  I am grateful for all of those who were there on that night, risking their lives to pull me from the wreckage, those who gathered to support my sister as she struggled to make the initial medical decisions that would give me the best chance to live, those who supported my entire family as they waited at my bedside for positive signs that I was recovering, and those who've supported us through all of the years of change that have come after.  As the sun sets on year nine I am glad that I have been here to have the experiences and build the relationships that have developed in my world over these past long years, and I look forward with hope and happiness to the dawning of year 10 and the decades beyond!