I grew up a Seahawks Fan living most of my life in the wet, dreary area of Battle Ground, Washington(not that for a long time I've really bragged about being a Hawk fan). I can remember watching games with my uncles growing up, who were huge, die hard, Seattle fans. I remember attending my first game in person, that allowed me to get to know my Aunt's new husband better. We ventured to the Kingdom where we allowed to watch them play Joe Montana and the Kansas City Chiefs(Course the hawks lost 16-32). I was able to get my first Hawks hat.
Last year my passion for the Seahawks was deepened greatly, with my accident happening exactly one week before the Super bowl I was still a resident of St. Als at the time just a few days removed from ICU. In arguably one of the darkest times of my life, the super bowl served as a bright spot for me. I was a bit nervous though with the Seahawks performance in their first big game(Or the Refs performance I should say). My brother and father brought in a 50" TV to my hospital room so we could watch the game in HD and all it's glory.
While the Super bowl seemed a disappointment to most being such a blowout, it served as a silver lining to my grey cloud. A bright spot that in a time of tragedy created a sub-conscious bright spot that deepened my love for the Hawks. It gave me a inside perspective if you will to those that request time with teams and athletes through Make a Wish. It allows them to create an experience that puts a smile on there face and shine a light during a dark time.
Tomorrow serves as the anniversary date for my accident. It's funny, I was reflecting today on how the weather this year compared to last is very reflective to where I was and where I am now. I feel more accomplished through the path the Lord has led me this last year than I have through any other time in my life. I have been truly blessed to have the opportunity to learn what I'm really made of.
There is no other time to learn your true character, your true friends, and what kind of seeds you have sown, but when you are at your lowest.
Experience; the best description of this last year. The closeness I have enriched with my family, the relationships that have deepened with friends, the drive and determination I have learned I possess, the unlimited possibilities and power I have witnessed that God will use when allowed... my greatest experience.
In regards to my reflection on the Super bowl, players and fans talk about games like the Super bowl as an unbelievable experience. But I will argue that the greatest and most unbelievable experience we can be a part of is that of us allowing God's plan and will to guide our lives. It will bring the unexpected and be an experience like you could never imagine.
With it's proximity in date, the Super Bowl will always serve as a reminder of this for me... Go Hawks!!
Sunday, January 25, 2015
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
Finish Strong
It's like that movie that you think has climaxed, and the antagonist is at the most difficult position and now they will work their way back to the top. Suddenly there is a twist and a new challenge presents itself and pushes them even further down.
That's kind of the way the end of this year has been for myself. A whole new set of challenges has presented itself. It seems my hips have decided to be difficult and present some complications. My left hip that I dislocated and damaged the femoral head has been challenging due to the joint trying to become one solid bone from a large calcium deposit due to immobilization. Something I have to continually stretch and range my legs to fight as a counteraction. My right hip has collected fluid due to extreme arthritis(apparently I have been hard on my body is what they tell me). It rolls like a skate board wheel with a flat spot and can lock up when that spot catches.
I constantly think back to the time I was in the hospital, I had this perception(or delusion, depends on how you look at it) that I would be down for a couple weeks and then promptly begin to return to normal. Now at almost a year later I find myself frustrated and inpatient at times in my continued recovery process. I have found that normal isn't as much of a set pattern in routine as much as being adaptable and receptive to what life throws my way.
I take pride in knowing how far I've come through perseverance and pure stubborn relentlessness. While I find some discouragement in knowing at only one year post accident my journey has just begun, I take solace in knowing I have been ahead of the curve in my recovery and regaining my strength. My training habits of old are more important toady then they I have ever been. I often compare physical difficulties to a 6-8 hour road trip in a car. That feeling you have when you are finally able to step out of the vehicle and stretch, that stiffness you feel from the lack of mobilization and circulation is my daily struggle. Its my daily workout that promotes my circulation and combats this challenge.
It shows me the importance in our daily habits and the discipline we build in our lives. God has given us the ability to prepare ourselves for what ever may come our way in life. The challenges and adversity we face can be minimized with inner built strength and preparation. How we live our life reflects how high the mountains are we climb and how low the valleys are we recess in to.
There is a saying " The definition of luck is when opportunity meets preparation" I have always lived life by this mantra and it finds me feeling very lucky despite what has happened. 2014 has found me very blessed with many victories. I look forward to what 2015 will hold and hope the new year finds you with your daily walk and preparation to be "lucky" in life.
That's kind of the way the end of this year has been for myself. A whole new set of challenges has presented itself. It seems my hips have decided to be difficult and present some complications. My left hip that I dislocated and damaged the femoral head has been challenging due to the joint trying to become one solid bone from a large calcium deposit due to immobilization. Something I have to continually stretch and range my legs to fight as a counteraction. My right hip has collected fluid due to extreme arthritis(apparently I have been hard on my body is what they tell me). It rolls like a skate board wheel with a flat spot and can lock up when that spot catches.
I constantly think back to the time I was in the hospital, I had this perception(or delusion, depends on how you look at it) that I would be down for a couple weeks and then promptly begin to return to normal. Now at almost a year later I find myself frustrated and inpatient at times in my continued recovery process. I have found that normal isn't as much of a set pattern in routine as much as being adaptable and receptive to what life throws my way.
I take pride in knowing how far I've come through perseverance and pure stubborn relentlessness. While I find some discouragement in knowing at only one year post accident my journey has just begun, I take solace in knowing I have been ahead of the curve in my recovery and regaining my strength. My training habits of old are more important toady then they I have ever been. I often compare physical difficulties to a 6-8 hour road trip in a car. That feeling you have when you are finally able to step out of the vehicle and stretch, that stiffness you feel from the lack of mobilization and circulation is my daily struggle. Its my daily workout that promotes my circulation and combats this challenge.
It shows me the importance in our daily habits and the discipline we build in our lives. God has given us the ability to prepare ourselves for what ever may come our way in life. The challenges and adversity we face can be minimized with inner built strength and preparation. How we live our life reflects how high the mountains are we climb and how low the valleys are we recess in to.
There is a saying " The definition of luck is when opportunity meets preparation" I have always lived life by this mantra and it finds me feeling very lucky despite what has happened. 2014 has found me very blessed with many victories. I look forward to what 2015 will hold and hope the new year finds you with your daily walk and preparation to be "lucky" in life.
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