My road came to an unexpected halt on November 9, 2010.

That morning, I was bicycling to work when a garbage truck turned across a city bike lane. I was in that bike lane.

A team of trauma surgeons saved my life, but they had to amputate my left leg. My body and life were forever changed.

The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.

As I learned to walk again, I measured my recovery in steps and then miles. Over time that journey grew into something more -- a way of being in the world, wherever I go.

I am a person of ability and disability. I travel in the space between. These are my postcards.

Thursday, November 24, 2011

For Today

Mile Marker 187:

I am wearing a belt today.

Probably not the smartest thing to do on Thanksgiving.

But I've decided to be content, just for today.

It turns out that yoga class has been centering more than just my body.  Last night we talked about contentment and disattachment, two tenets of yoga practice.

I am grateful for so many things this year.  But for me, contentment lies ONE STEP beyond gratitude.

With gratitude, there's a wonderment at all I've been given.   With contentment, there’s acceptance.

Today I’ve decided not to worry about how my socket fits.  I’ve decided to take a walk without thinking about how far I’ve gone.  And despite the bumpy belly leftover from my abdominal scars, I’ve decided to WEAR A BELT.

Green Bean Casserole --
What's not to be HAPPY about??
It helps that my cousin is visiting.  Contentment lives INSIDE TRACY.

Tracy arrived last night in her new Toyota Corolla after a quick 10-hour road trip from Lexington, Kentucky.  While most of us would have been grumpy and tired (as I was at 10:30 last night!), Tray popped open a year-old beer from my fridge and pulled up a corner of my bed to watch Action News with me.

This morning, she was still smiling.  Then she went out for a run, of course.  Exercise is Tray’s M.O.  Her endorphins run constantly.  Maybe that’s the recipe for happiness.

But moving or not, Tray also lives in the NOW.  And that’s the second piece we discussed at yoga class – disattachment.

Letting go of yesterday and tomorrow, and shifting our focus to TODAY.  To this moment.

It doesn’t come easy to me.  The minute I get on the treadmill at PT, I make up my mind about how long I’ll walk, at what speed, and how far.  My goal of 1000 miles has me aiming for 2 ½ miles per day.  That’s a lot for me and my Genuim – it’s a goal I don’t meet most days.

So today we’re going to go for a walk, Tracy and I.  And instead of thinking about how far we’re going, I’m going to think about the sunshine.  I am going to enjoy Mile 187!

It’s not that I don’t think about the past.  I’m SO VERY THANKFUL for the people who’ve carried me to this point – my family, friends, doctors, nurses, prosthetists, and therapists.   To say I’m grateful is an understatement really – their support is the glue that holds me together every day.

But in thanksgiving, there’s also GIVING.

So my thank-you gift to them, and to myself today, is to be content with the way things are. 

I know it won’t last long.  But with Tracy by my side, I think I can do it.

Plus, I'm wearing my belt.  

JUST FOR TODAY.
(Or at least until dessert...)

Wishing all of you a day of thankfulness, contentment, and lots of fun!

Happy Thanksgiving!

6 comments:

  1. HAPPY THANKSGIVING to you and your wonderful family. They have provided so much support and encouragement. Hi Tracy. Sorry that you couldn't make the trip on the 12th.

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  2. Happy Thanksgiving to you and to all those that are the glue holding you together. There was not a dry eye at our Thanksgiving this year. No one would let me take their pictures (I wanted to capture everyone around the computer with tears running down their cheek)as we watched your the ABC news piece and your video from the walk you did on Saturday. Our entire Thanksgiving was celebrating you and the amazing person you are. Don't under estimate that the glue is only so strong....without your enthusiasm, optimism and spirit, the glue wouldn't stick. You are the most important piece. I can't wait to see you.

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  3. Rebecca, I'm thankful for you and your continuing journey, and especially thankful that you have invited your friends to join with you, one step at a time...

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  4. You looked amazing on yor skates today... I am so happy for you. What an achievement... You certainly earned it!!!

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  5. I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! As always, thank you for being you and sharing this amazing journey with the world!

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