It's been 8 years since I shortened my spine and herniated the discs in my back. August 8th of 2004 will forever be a scar on my soul. But I wouldn't change it. I'd love to have not damaged my spine, but without that injury I might not have lived the last 8 years to their fullest. If it weren't for that year of misery I might now be tempted to think that I have it rough, that life isn't fair, and be asking WHY ME?
I'd been sensing that my time was due. I'm not really the kind of guy to hold back and when you ride bikes as fast as you can you will eventually crash. A totally un-spectacular fall left me with a shattered ankle.
So here I am on August 8th, my back injury anniversary. And you know what I got to do? I got to stand up, get out of my wheelchair and walk! Well kind of, I got to bear partial weight while I shuffled along with one crutch. But when you've been in a chair for six weeks its a darn good feeling. But enough about broken bones and crushed spines. I'm feeling positive and I want to focus on the things and people who have given me perspective throughout this process.
FRIENDS! Some friends bring magazines and pineapples. And some bring you lasagana and then hide your bike in the shed so you can't see it.
Some friends stop by unannounced and some let you stop by unannounced...
Some friends are going through worse times then you. Despite sickness in their own life they climb a mountain with you.
Sometimes you become friends with people whom you normally wouldn't. Respect your elders, they have much to teach you.
PARENTS! Is there anything they wouldn't do for you? So sorry you drove all the way to Colorado to watch me lay on the couch. But it was nice to have you here. Love you Mom and Dad.
DOGS! Dinka hasn't cared a bit that I've been hurt. Other then running over her tail with my chair, she's been as happy as ever to hang out with me. Grumpy or happy, she's always there.
WIFE! My poor wife didn't sleep for most of the first week after surgery while I had bad reactions to pain meds. Mary has put up with a very bored cranky man for six long weeks. Throughout it all she stays positive and supportive. Up until last year Mary had been off the bike for THREE YEARS! due to sickness. Honestly it's pretty pathetic to whine about 6-8 little ole weeks in her presence.
GEORGE! My boss is so understanding. I had no worries about coming back to work and sitting on my butt for two months. Thanks boss for covering for me for the week I missed and picking up my wheels when they fall off. LOL
OUTSIDE! Summer rainstorms, evening light, and mountains and cliffs and bugs and wind and rocks and trees and I could go on and on....
WHEELCHAIR! I had to embrace a wheelchair, something that I've been terrifyingly scared of being "in" my whole life.
THE LAST RIDE!
The memory of that last bike ride...the one that didn't land me in the hospital. The one that gave me the incentive to push through the surgical delirium, the bad reactions to meds, the nausea, the boredom, the awkwardness of a wheelchair, and the pain of physical therapy. It was that last ride in the evening light, shredding with a little rocket dog, carving turns on the best trails in the world that has kept me moving forward. It has had me marking the calendar with dates for when I will "bear partial weight," "start PT," "bear full weight," and finally....RIDE! Man, I can't wait to RIDE!
Thank you for this I need to get over my whiny butt and be happy with what I have.
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