Recognizing Gratitude in Difficult Times

This past Monday marked one year since I was hit by a minivan while walking across the street.  The last year has had many challenges as I’ve gone through the healing process, and I would be lying if I said that there weren’t days when I was in lots of pain, frustrated, angry and/or feeling sorry for myself.  But, amazingly enough, there were even more days that reminded me of everything that I have to be grateful for:

• Grapes, my friend’s dog, who would come over and snuggle with me on the couch when I couldn’t do much more than lie on the couch.
• The feeling of accomplishment I had when I was finally well enough to walk one block with a walking cast and crutches.  I was exhausted, sweating and shaking when I got to the end of the block, but oh so grateful that I was taking my first steps in months.
• The new friends that I made in the park by my house.  I would go out daily in the late afternoon to practice walking and discovered that it was a popular hangout for the over 75 crowd.  They watched my progress and cheered me on as I improved.
• My “old” friends and family who were there when I needed them the most – and continued to be there for me to this day.
• The feeling of joy when I could finally get rid of the crutches after using them for 8 months.  I reveled in the freedom of being able to use both hands while I walked.
• The compassion and empathy that I experienced from total strangers in a large city – from taxi cab drivers who buckled me in to my seat, to food delivery guys who would bring in my mail and packages, to total strangers that helped me over a curb when I couldn’t navigate it, and to a UPS driver that not only brought my packages up one flight to my door but also slammed on his brakes when he saw me walking for the first time to congratulate me.  Everywhere I turned, there was someone willing to lend a helping hand when I needed it.
• The help I had from my power animal and spirit helpers in my healing  – and the miracle of it.

I think it is when we are in our darkest times that the most amazing things happen that can bring hope and love and light into your life.  I still have some healing to do, but I know that I’m not alone and that I have so much to be grateful for.  Grapes and her person came to visit me this past weekend.  After dinner, we sat down in the living room, and Grapes immediately jumped up on my lap and snuggled with me.  It was as if she was saying, “We’ve got this…it’s all going to be alright. I’m here with you, don’t worry.”