A hole in the road (or sidewalk)

This past week has been quite an exciting one in ways that I am not too fond of. So many that it makes me think that last weekend was FOREVER ago.

First, a good family friend was in the hospital due to his heart just not wanting to cooperate and had to get a pacemaker placed. Everything went wonderfully, but still not an ideal situation. Tuesday, I saw one of my favorite patient's I have ever had the joy and privilege of caring for lose her battle to cancer. My heart is still broken for her and her family. She was such a strong, beautiful woman that lit up a room. And Wednesday threw a little bump in my own life, when I went for a run, stepped in a hole, and ended up doing a number on my "good"ankle. This has now resulted in me being on crutches until this coming Thursday.

Yes, I think less than ideal would describe this week perfectly. I am already itching to go do everything like normal, but realizing that I can't. Even grocery shopping is an issue because it is a little hard to do on your own when crutching around. I like to be independent, and the whole non-weight-bearing-on-my-right-leg is making that a little bit of a problem. So needless to say, I'm going to be going a little stir crazy until next week. And have really sore arms, because I've never had good upper body strength (heck that's why I like running so much).

As frustrated as I am, it makes me think back to high school and remember how I got bad ankles in the first place, playing basketball. Particularly, when I blew out my "bad" ankle out senior year and then re-injured it, but managed to hidden from my coach for two days (and start a game before he pulled me), because I really just didn't want to miss another conference game. Whoops. I still say it was worth it.

Funny enough,  I was able to see one of my best friends I played with on that team on Friday. We actually played every single season of basketball and volleyball together, from 7th grade through senior year. When I walked crutched into the restaurant and gave her a hug, she said, "I feel like you're always on crutches!" I replied, "Dani, it's been 6 years!"which made me first, feel OLD that it's been that long since high school, and secondly, make me very thankful to still be so close to her after all these years! (Love you!) Needless to say, we had a good laugh about it.

Until next week, I'll TRY to be a better patient than I was then. And I'd really like to get back to work, and back to running asap. And being independent.

I hope you all have had a good weekend! Now it's time for me to go to sleep, and PRAY that the Tigers don't get swept tomorrow..... EKK!

Night!

Family.

Loud. Loving. Crazy. Supportive. Time management challenged. God-loving. Open. Light-hearted. Good at cooking (and drinking). Fun. Competitive. Sport-obsessed. Happy. 

The words above help to describe the group of people that I care for most, my family. If I have learned anything about myself in the last year, it's that these people are the ones that hold the deepest place in my heart. The ones that I will drop everything for, in an instant, to be at their side. The people who's jokes and sarcasm I will willingly be the brunt of.. (cough...Molly...cough...). The ones that drive me nuts sometimes, but I miss them dearly. The people I want to share my hopes and dreams, my highs and lows. The people I love unconditionally.

One of the greatest blessings in my life is my family. Immediate and extended. I have some incredible people in my life. My family includes those who are blood-related, and those who I am blessed to have as a part of my life through divine intervention. 

We check in on each other just because. Get frustrated because no one can decide what they want to do for dinner, so we don't eat until 9pm. We are late for church more than on time. You can guarantee that if my Dad is cooking a meal, there will be enough left over to feed at least 3 extra people (hey, I like leftovers so it's ok). Our family gatherings, of any sort, are loud. LOUD. But hey, that's us. That is who we are. And that is what makes our family unique. I love them, and they love me. Through the flaws, the moodiness, the failed attempts at communicating, we accept and love one another. Everyday. And that is my family. Not perfect. But there. Solid. Dependable. Always.