Yeah, who would have thought that those words would come out of my mouth. But it's true. I'm thankful for had I not been injured, today would have never happened.
Today is day 54 out of surgery and I've been having a few roller coaster days. I feel as if everything is upside down and inside out. The good news is, I'm healing. It is slow. It is painful. But it is healing.
On Thursday (day 51) there was a horrific gas main explosion back home in California and it was so surreal watching the live stream online. The worst part of the whole thing was knowing so many friends who live in the area and not being there to help. Thankfully everyone I know is going to be ok and even though there was destruction, in time, it will all be alright.
Friday (day 52) I watched with the rest of the nation as we pulled together to
Stand Up To Cancer!
Saturday was the 9th anniversary of 9-11 and day 53 out of surgery. I thought about everyone who lost their lives especially all my kids who lost parents in 9-11.
And in the evening, I went, once again, to see American Idiot on broadway.
And here we are at day 54, Sunday. It's the 2 year anniversary of the day I reclaimed my freedom. For me, it's a day to remember where I've been and to see how far I've come. And even though it's a coldish rainy day here in NYC, I had one of the best days of my life.
As I sat in Starbucks you will never believe who walked in! Allison Case and Karen Olivo! If you don't know who they are, you need to google them immediately and get to a broadway show stat! They are 2 of my broadway heroes, my inspirations for so many reasons. The most recent reason is that they have both recently had injuries that kept them off the Broadway stage. Watching them get injured, deal with the injury and get back on stage has been my saving grace and the one thing that has kept me going since I was injured 114 days ago. Actually, Allison Case is the reason I started this blog to begin with. If you look way back at my first post, I quoted her.
I didn't get their autograph, I didn't get a picture with them, but I got something better. I got to thank them for helping me. I hope to one day meet them again. There are not enough words to say Thank You to them for all they do.
Tonight I went to Rock of Ages, yet again :) and John Walsh from America's Most Wanted was in the audience. At intermission I walked over to him and had the privilege of meeting him and his daughter. I thanked him for the work he does and sent a special thanks for featuring cases close to my heart like Xiana Fairchild, Laci Peterson, Nick Birco and all the other missing children cases I have had the privilege to volunteer for. They ended up thanking me for volunteering, saying they need more people like me in this world. I was in tears. He shook my hand and gave me a hug.
And there is nothing better than standing outside the BAT after the show and being able to say hello and get hugs and healing wishes from the most amazing people in the entire world such as my hero and inspiration, Maisey, and the amazing JWo, Joey and Emily.
Life works in mysterious ways. I'm honored to have had the day I had. I will never forget meeting these people, having the friends that I have today, remembering those who have flown up to the skies. Today I'm living my dream. In this moment it's not perfect. Do I want to be injured? HELL NO. Do I wish I could be dancing now? YES. But at the same time, had I not been injured, I probably wouldn't have been in that starbucks, at that show tonight, writing these words now. This quote pretty much sums it up for me today:
"To be a survivor–first you must bleed. You bleed all that was inside of you:
the pain, the memories, the fear, the wounds fusing together,
the ties to what was in, all its forms. You bleed not once but several times.
And when you are empty, you either fade into a shadow or find the strength,
and courage to live. When you stand up again, you are for a time, hollow –
empty, like a bottle of beer lying on the street, cracked and reeking
of its bitter contents. Then you fill yourself up with the new,
you recreate yourself – you reform.
You don’t have the same heart or mind.
The way you see the world is forever changed"
-Lynn Mari
