One year ago today I spent a large part of the day in the emergency department. I had to be carried out of my house in the morning by an ambulance crew because I couldn’t walk. An MRI was ordered in the ER and they found nerve impingement from a ruptured disk.

The first half of this year I spent in quite a bit of pain before I was able to have surgery to remove the disk fragments, and the surgeon removed some of the bone to keep from impinging on the nerve as I move forward. Only then was I able to make the necessary improvements and increase my strength.

As I reflect back on this past year I look at everything I am thankful for. I am thankful that I am able to walk (though I still have some back pain, I continue pressing forward with my exercises); that I am able to spend time with my family; that I have been supported by some great friends; that those friends have shown how much they mean to me.

I could continue on, but I feel at this point it might sound like bragging. Instead of reflecting on the negative from this past year, and everything that I missed out on, I choose to be thankful for what I have. I’m sure there will be more difficult times ahead, but those will be addressed as they come. I am choosing to be greatful for what I have in this moment.