Expressing my Gratitude

Dear Family and Friends,

I think a lot of times we live in a world of “What Ifs”. What if I did this instead of that… What if _______ you fill in the blank for your own what if. In recent years I’ve made a practice of not entertaining thoughts of what if and trying to live in the present moment the best I can. Although today I have a very different what if in my mind.

On July 25, 2010 exactly one year ago today I was in a car accident that left me battling chronic neck and back pain for this year. Most of you know the details of that day. For those of you who don’t I was the passenger in my friend’s car. We were traveling on one of the highways here in Hawaii. We approached a construction zone and slowed to a stop. A couple minutes passed and I noticed a very fast moving pickup truck behind us. This pickup hit us traveling about 50 mph. He launched us into the oncoming traffic where we only nearly missed being hit from the front as well.

I was left with a painful neck and back injury. Early on in the recovery process I developed a heightened sense of thankfulness. There are factors that could have made the outcome of that day so very different. On this one-year anniversary I’d like to express my gratitude that I am here writing this message and thanking God that things turned out exactly how they did.

First of all I am so thankful that I am alive today. This year held so many amazing blessings. Since I was 15 years old I have dreamed of going to Paris and not only did I go but I got to visit precious friends AND run a half marathon there!

I am thanking God that I can appreciate the pain that I have had because even thought I have sleepless nights I can still pull myself out of bed and walk on my own two feet every morning.

I am also so very thankful for God’s most amazing provision. I had the privileged of being treated by the best physical therapist in the world! (and YES you are the best Tiffany Pragnell at South Shore PT!)

I can say that one year later most days I am pain free and that in some ways I am even stronger than I was even before the accident happened.

I am overcome with thankfulness when I think of my amazing friends and how they have faithfully loved and supported me through all the phases of my recovery. You’ve listen to me complain and have been so patient with me though these phases. You’ve talked me through the sadness that comes along with these types of experiences. You’ve prayed and spoken vibrancy and hope into my life.

I am learning through my injury a more balanced approach towards living life. I have been notorious in the past for living an extreme and crazy lifestyle. My body doesn’t tolerate marathon cleaning, marathon catching up, marathon sleep depravation… maybe it only tolerates real marathons now… heheeh… with balance consistent training that is. J Practicing balance is rewarding and a skill I haven’t had before this year.

The biggest thing I want to continue to learn and not forget through this experience is to continue to live each day to the fullest. I know that there is obviously a reason I’m still on this earth and I need to live accordingly.

Everyone reading this has played a roll in this challenging but amazing year. I love you and I am thankful for all of you. You’ve been the silver lining in many a cloud fill day this last year!

With all my gratitude and love

Cindy