From The Other Side

If you would have told me a month ago that in four weeks I would be able to shovel piles of dirt and lift boxes of plants, I would never have believed you. 


Here I am, 3.5 months post-surgery and finally, FINALLY, feeling healed. I went back to work on April 12th and while that first week was utterly exhausting, it was also exhilarating to return to my classroom and my kids. I had forgotten what it felt like to have a purpose and after approximately 5 seconds around my students, I remembered exactly why I’m a teacher. A classroom is where I am meant to be and where I am happiest! Well, aside from the beach and our cabin, at least. (wink)  


In this past week, I have felt more healed than ever before. Instead of falling onto the couch everyday after work, I came home and worked in the yard (in between Little League games, of course)! And instead of crawling into bed around 7pm each night, I lasted until between 8-9 PM. The best part has been actually feeling TIRED at bedtime and sleeping like a rock until my alarm each morning.


Clint and I started a fairly large landscaping project this weekend. Yesterday, as I ran around town getting plants and groceries, then came home to shoveling dirt and moving plants, then went to a 5-year-old’s birthday party, I realized...I couldn’t do ANY of this a month ago!  I would have been so exhausted just from getting groceries! 


So, today, as I’m a little less active because of the rainy weather outside, I’m enjoying a slower day and counting my blessings that I have mobility and energy to spare. I’m so excited that I can do things again that I’ve already made our meals for the week, packed our lunches, taken care of some online projects, and done my laundry. 


I head back to the doctor tomorrow for what I hope is my LAST doctor’s appointment for a long, long time. I am looking forward to sharing my progress with her and making more plans for my recovery, but I will also be happy to not see that office again for a long time.


I’m officially on the other side and it has never felt so good.

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