One year on!
I sat down to journal today motivated by some troubling emotion associated with my physical therapy. I have come to realize that it is incredibly important to have the right therapist. Regardless of base line technical skill and capabilities, a shared recovery goal is essential, and without that, “the team has no coach”.
What an interesting and amazing year.
I certainly regret the mental pain and agony I have caused my family and friends as the result of this accident. Obviously, this was not intended. But I have enjoyed so many experiences and interactions over the past 12 months.
Yesterday was quite the day. I toured some out of state guests around. They were in town for my crash anniversary gig. I drove them around the wine country, and to several of the parks I hand a hand in acquiring and developing while working for Lake Metroparks.
What a nice way to spend the day on the actual anniversary date of the crash. We went to several parks along the Grand River and to Lake Erie Bluffs. Quite the personal legacy to reflect on. I suppose I look at those projects with a little more pride after my near death experience. I am certainly appreciative of the opportunity afforded me to be involved with such things.
Combine my career in the parks and conservation field, with the experiences I have enjoyed with my musical endeavors, and I have had quite the ride.
Sunday was simply lovely. It was an gig close to the anniversary of my crash. I was surrounded by a host of talented musicians, family and friends, and we had a wonderful afternoon. This was the third such event since I had my accident when I was the recipient of a tremendous demonstration of love. ! How can a person be so fortunate? It is not often that an individual gets to observe such manifestation of love and support.
This is not the only time I have been the recipient of such kindness, most notably, after the flood of 2006. While our house was nearly destroyed, with help and the encouragement of friends and family, it was rebuilt and restored better than the original condition.
Like the aftermath of this crash, it took over a year to recover from the flood.
I suppose someone could look at these experiences and think I was exceptionally unlucky, but I have an alternative view. What a gift it has been to actually see and experience this. I really do believe I have lived, and continue to live, a charmed life.
I have had the opportunity to interact with many exceptional professionals over the course of this ordeal and I am always appreciative of opportunities to interact with great people, and many of these folks are truly great people.
These experiences have enriched my life, and I already had a very rich life.
I am presently sitting in my sunroom enjoying my second cup of coffee. I am looking out at dappled sunlight on a lush blanket of vegetation. I just came back from a stroll down by the creek and re-filling the oriole feeder. When I take a little walk like that, the birds scold me if they are out of jelly.
And as I went out to fill the feeder, I couldn’t help but feel what a tremendous privilege it is to be here, and I not only mean this location but I mean here, right now, and what a tremendous privilege it is to be embraced by love.