Missing Christmas

January 24, 2022

Last week was my one year covid anniversary, an anniversary of something I never knew could be a thing. It has taken me a few days to find words to share.

It’s been a twelve month corona-coaster of highs, lows, and being turned upside down. Gains were smacked down by what the fuck moments. Improvements were kicked backwards by an overwhelming desire to lie down on the floor. And sometimes I had no idea which was was up. I am still riding the coaster but thankfully it’s more of a Kiddieland version than a Six Flags version.

The duality of fighting the illness and becoming stronger goes on. I’m grateful to have come a long way from walking an average of only 250 steps a day in March. But, it is hard to still be so far away from full recovery. I got the booster shot the Monday before Thanksgiving and it took four very long weeks to recover. I missed Christmas in Florida with my family but have seen some pretty good gains since. Weekly, I am humbled at each therapy session and I need my cane when I’m tired, but less often. I’ve completed the Parkinson’s exercises. Below are some videos of how hard they were back in November when I started. The practice paid off because now I can use the elliptical or I can jog/shuffle for nine whole minutes. It feels amazing to actually sweat from exercise, not just in my sleep.

Some days I’m not quite sure the lessons learned are worth the pain and despair we have faced. Other days, I’m quite certain they are. We have no idea what the future holds but I do know we wouldn’t have come this far without being surrounded by love, light, prayers, good vibes, and positive thoughts so keep them coming for all of us.