HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

I hope you all enjoyed the guest author last night. I was honored that Ashley wanted to be a part of this blog. Now you are back to being stuck with me.

As I lay in bed last night, surprised that I actually MADE it past midnight, I reflected on the day.

It was strange.

I almost wasn't here to "ring in the new year." I had ALL KINDS of reasons to do something big; go to a party, make all sorts of resolutions, make some big announcements. But, I was perfectly happy laying next to my angel; awake but barely aware of how close midnight was. Truthfully, I wasn't even doing a whole lot of, "What if's." It actually felt very anti-climactic. I was just laying in bed, watching TV just like it was any other night. By about 1:00 a.m., I was feeling like I did not give the night enough of an exclamation point. Yet, at the same time, I felt no NEED to do so.

It was strange.


Today was totally different. Today was NOT strange. Today was nice.

The kids ALL slept till 8:00 a.m. (and people called ME a miracle). We hung out, we did a whole lot of nothing, and our good friends the Steele family came over. It is always nice to see the Steele family. There is always good conversation, a few laughs and some fellowship.

We EVEN pulled out the good dishes (TWO miracles in ONE day?!?!?!?).

Then, just about dusk, my family went for a walk with me. It was just us, walking through the Clemmons West neighborhood. It was cool, not cold, it was getting dark enough to see everyone's Christmas lights. The boys were having fun, mommy was pushing the stroller the little girl was...well, she was "being two." It was perfect (even the "being two" part). I had as much fun on this walk as I have had at any big New Years bash.

Lesson Learned:
You never know where the perfect memories are gonna come from. New Years Eve, is supposed to be about big parties, champagne and resolutions. This year should have been particularly poignant and festive for me. Yet, something as simple as walking for 30 minutes is what will stick with me forever because it was JUST what I needed it to be.


That's today...what about the story?

Well gang, it seems like I am all caught up as far as the story goes. I think from this point on that we can just discuss today, the present.

We've seen everything from my initial signs of pain to my last trip to the ER. I talked about the heart monitor I wore home, and the results from that monitor. That is about where we started this journey together. 

Thank you to everyone who is joining me on this trip. Thank to everyone who has brought us dinner, sent me prayers and wishes, and taken a minute out of their day to "check in on me."

If you could all do me one favor to kick off the new year, I would appreciate it. Will each of you tell one person about this blog? Use Facebook, a text message, an email, or (heaven forbid) call a friend and talk to them about it.

Who knows, if we can get enough people reading this stuff, maybe we can find that one person who will really find some helpful words.

Finally tonight, I hope you will all come back tomorrow to see where we go from here.

Good night & God bless.