Enjoying God's Gifts

With the weather changing and the days getting longer, it is easier to get outside and get some fresh air. Shortly after my heart surgery the weather turned cold and it was hard to get out. I remember one morning going to get some groceries and I forgot to wear a hat. My head got cold and I got extremely dizzy.

I sat in my car waiting for it to end. I had my phone in one hand ready to call emergency and looking around trying to figure out exactly where I was in the parking lot. I sat there for about 15 minutes and finally all my senses returned. I drove back to my apartment and sat outside in the warm car scared to venture out into the cold for fear of passing out.

After that day, I always dressed warm, in fact probably over dressed. Just today it is 75 degrees outside (23 C) and I wore a sweater for my walk. Yes, I ended up sweating quite a bit and now feel quite confident I can go for these walks without extra clothing.

In years past I would meet people that either picked up walking or jogging after a major surgery. I always thought it was kind of dumb because the damage was already done. Now I'm doing it. I'm not doing it because I fear the worse. I'm doing it because I know how fragile and precious life can be.

These walks aren't meant to strengthen my heart, though they do. Rather I take these walks, to see the trees come back to life. I take these walks to hear the water flowing down the river. I take these walks to see nature. To see some deers, rabbits, hawks, and whatever else crosses my path along the way.

I have a 14 inch scar on my chest that reminds me where I was less then a year ago. There were times where I wondered if I would ever walk out of that hospital… and now I'm walking along a river. There was a time where three steps were a major victory. Now I walk three miles.

Life no longer is about “things.” It is about “being.” Being in the time. Being in the place and being one with everything around me.

Sad that it took major surgery to find this life, yet forever grateful for finding it at all.