Goodness… it’s a great thing when you realize that many months have flown by since you’re last post! This means that I’ve been living, my friends!!
Flash back 2 years ago: I was still dealing with open wounds from my amputations in June 2020. I’d done a short walk Sept 2020 (still in surgical shoes and open wounds) to raise awareness and support for the Sepsis Foundation with a close friend from high school, also septic shock survivor, and my kids. The world was still in lockdown mode – thus not a huge gathering for our walk but asked others to join us “virtually”. I was still in hand therapy and dealing with the challenge of finding shoes that I would be able to wear (surgical shoes with open-toed socks don’t cut it in Colorado Falls/Winters). I was about to start (unbeknownst at the time) daily hyperbaric oxygen treatments again (3 hrs/day plus drive time), this time as an outpatient wound clinic patient. Little did I know this would last through mid-March 2021; and that I had another surgery ahead. Needless to say, healing was still occupying a great majority of my time. I had completed my Year 1 of Catholic Biblical School and had started Year 2 (remote now online; thanks, COVID; not really). Thankfully my kids were mostly in person at school, although they had to wear masks (as we all did). Remote could happen at any time any day. I was thankful to be home for when they were. My older sister was still my daily constant companion -an angel to me – helping me get through the daily tasks of life and to regain independence! Praise God!
Flash back 1 year ago: I had started working again, this time with my older sister and brother-in-law, as part of their team in real estate. It felt so amazing to know my brain was fully functional again (ok well minus babies and age LOL)!! My hair was growing back (oh yes, I had lost a good 80% at least of that 4 months post-sickness), it felt good to be wearing work clothes again and making myself look “ready for the day” again! My kids were in school full time, class quarantines were fast becoming a thing of the past. Praise GOD!!
And from then to now – well let’s just say I’ve been making up for lost time!! I feel like myself and family especially lost two years of living life to the fullest and adventures. We all did. However on the flip side it gave us two years of more time together than probably ever possible otherwise, and that, no doubt, is a gift. Sure, there weren’t many adventures/travel/outdoor activities like skiing, hiking, etc., but at least now I’m feeling good and like I can actually try and ski this year! My kids are back in full throttle with their sports, which keeps us busy to say the least. Sometimes too busy; but it’s all great. I am so thankful to be working full time again! I am especially enjoying real estate, but it has also been fun doing some consulting with the owners of my previous business and being able to help them. It’s working with people again that I am so grateful for, being around others, serving others, that warms my heart so!! Oh – and my hair is once again long. I am in my 4th and final year of Catholic Biblical School. Last year and this year have been in person, and wow makes you so appreciate being able to actually share time with others live. Praise GOD!!
One day history shall be the judge of the insanity we all lived through these last two years. But as this all started to where I am now, I know just as assuredly now as the day I woke up in ICU: GOD HAS A PLAN. It is more important than ever to turn off the constant negative news, tune in to God and his great creation, trust in his plan, give thanks, hold your lamp high and put one foot in front of the other, and forge ahead in faith, hope and love. #thereisnootherway #godhasaplan
