year three
Three years post-transplant. Wow.
Every year on July 16th, I try to figure out what I've managed to come away from the previous year with. At first, I didn't think there was that much I could say because it didn't feel like a big year (not that there weren't significant events). It just felt different. It wasn't anything like the first year, which was really something amazing, with going back to MWC and having all those people there, watching my health bounce around with salmonella and getting Isabel. Nor was it like the second year, with a relationship, breakup, death in the family and all of that.
This year, I started thinking about this post a little early. It wasn't until the last week or so that things began to click. I've always been able to sort through the various puzzles and problems set forth in front of me and I get frustrated when I can't do something. That's why I'm a knowledge sponge. There's maybe one thing at which I truly excel (Latin), something I have considered to be a puzzle itself, but I turned away from it. Part of it was not wanting to spend more time in school to do anything with it, part of it might've been a feeling that I'd done all that I wanted to accomplish with it and that it was time to move on from that.
Whatever career path(s) I end up traveling, I can rest a little easy knowing that I'm never going to let it define who I am, no matter if it's President or janitor. By treating many small situations like puzzles or a challenge, I've become a competent cook, sometimes plumber and minor problems mechanic. I can take care of my fair share of tech support within this house; I've pushed myself to write through Nanowrimo. Years ago, I was even a halfway decent programmer and probably could be again if I tried. Not enjoying failure is a pretty good motivator.
And for someone with my kind of health issue(s), it's the best attitude to have and it's done a lot for me over the last year. Between that and the support of everyone, I know I can make it through anything.
Brad, Lauren, David, Rob and Pat. You guys are like family. Even when miles apart and with our varied and strange levels of communication, just knowing you guys are there helps lift me on bad days. I'll never be able to thank you enough, but know that anytime you're through whatever area I'm in, you'll have a table to eat at and a place to stay.
Everyone I've gotten the chance to meet in the last year. It was truly amazing to meet you all, go on liquor runs, celebrate with you and eat wings with you. If you're ever in the area, give me a shout and I'll bump far less significant people and events to see you all again.
I'm not really as specific this year as I have been in previous years, but it doesn't mean I'm not thinking of any people any less. No matter how much I do or don't talk to you, you've been a part of this journey. As always, my posts from previous years still and will forever remain as true as when I first wrote them.
So thanks for another pretty damn good year, guys and gals. My rare use of the mood I selected should say it all. Love.
Every year on July 16th, I try to figure out what I've managed to come away from the previous year with. At first, I didn't think there was that much I could say because it didn't feel like a big year (not that there weren't significant events). It just felt different. It wasn't anything like the first year, which was really something amazing, with going back to MWC and having all those people there, watching my health bounce around with salmonella and getting Isabel. Nor was it like the second year, with a relationship, breakup, death in the family and all of that.
This year, I started thinking about this post a little early. It wasn't until the last week or so that things began to click. I've always been able to sort through the various puzzles and problems set forth in front of me and I get frustrated when I can't do something. That's why I'm a knowledge sponge. There's maybe one thing at which I truly excel (Latin), something I have considered to be a puzzle itself, but I turned away from it. Part of it was not wanting to spend more time in school to do anything with it, part of it might've been a feeling that I'd done all that I wanted to accomplish with it and that it was time to move on from that.
Whatever career path(s) I end up traveling, I can rest a little easy knowing that I'm never going to let it define who I am, no matter if it's President or janitor. By treating many small situations like puzzles or a challenge, I've become a competent cook, sometimes plumber and minor problems mechanic. I can take care of my fair share of tech support within this house; I've pushed myself to write through Nanowrimo. Years ago, I was even a halfway decent programmer and probably could be again if I tried. Not enjoying failure is a pretty good motivator.
And for someone with my kind of health issue(s), it's the best attitude to have and it's done a lot for me over the last year. Between that and the support of everyone, I know I can make it through anything.
Brad, Lauren, David, Rob and Pat. You guys are like family. Even when miles apart and with our varied and strange levels of communication, just knowing you guys are there helps lift me on bad days. I'll never be able to thank you enough, but know that anytime you're through whatever area I'm in, you'll have a table to eat at and a place to stay.
Everyone I've gotten the chance to meet in the last year. It was truly amazing to meet you all, go on liquor runs, celebrate with you and eat wings with you. If you're ever in the area, give me a shout and I'll bump far less significant people and events to see you all again.
I'm not really as specific this year as I have been in previous years, but it doesn't mean I'm not thinking of any people any less. No matter how much I do or don't talk to you, you've been a part of this journey. As always, my posts from previous years still and will forever remain as true as when I first wrote them.
So thanks for another pretty damn good year, guys and gals. My rare use of the mood I selected should say it all. Love.