A few weeks ago, I put my rings back on my left hand for the first time since May. It was a major achievement.
Though I have only mentioned it a few times here on this blog, I was involved in an accident that nearly took my life in the spring. Since that day, I have quietly thanked G-d for being alive and while making moment each more meaningful than the one before. The limbs I injured in this accident have still not returned to the way they once were and certainly activities that I used to love and do (like yoga and running) are still impossibilities, but I’m still here, I’m not dead. My children are not motherless, and for that, I am grateful. I hope to do yoga and run again soon, and I think I will, but I don’t know when and I’m okay with it.
2015 was very much for me the year of life. It was nearly taken from me. I have flashbacks to the second my future was nearly taken from me (and my children) daily and it makes me more grounded. I am now better grasping the fragility of life. The incident helped me learn to embrace and accept parts of my existence that are difficult and I’m trying to make them better. It also taught me to complain less. It taught me (if you don’t mind my taking a line from Hamilton) to talk less, smile more. When I have arguments or disagreements, I try to rectify the situations rather quickly, and I never try to leave a room mad at someone. You just don’t know if you’ll ever see them again, trust me.
There was plenty of good this year, too. I traveled (more before the accident) plenty and made my way to Ireland, Hawaii, Mexico, California and many more incredible destinations in my bucket list. I saw a lot of great shows (can I mention Hamilton again?) My working life has progressed – I’m working with some amazing people, including the United Nations Foundation, and my consultancy (Pivoting Media) has taken off with a full slate of clients. I took a break from graduate school but plan to return next year. My enforced mental health break gave me time to focus on who I am and what I want from my future, and finishing my degree is definitely my intention, but I realize that as a working mother, I must do it on my terms, during an easier time of life. My volunteer work is also quite meaningful and I’ve learned to focus my efforts on projects that are truly meaningful to me. More on that later.
Talk less, smile more. That’s what I learned to do in 2015, and I’ll take it as I move into 2016. Of course, that may be hard to do as a marketer, for I use and create words for a living….but the goal is to live life more meaningfully, with purpose.
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Happy to hear you are on the mend. Car accidents are scary and shake you up. MIne, in 1981, was what triggered my MS and nothing has been the same. I wish I could say certain bodily functions will return but they won’t and perhaps will also worsen with age. No one knows so I’ll leave it in G-d’s hands.
I wish I traveled as you do but our finances won’t allow it this year – too many medical bills in high numbers and our house still hasn’t sold.
So let’s all be grateful for what we do have, for our blessings and our lives. Happy Holidays to you and yours, Holly.
I loved reading this Holly. I’m happy that you are on the mend and creating memories from all those moments that are sooooo special.