Waffles snoring and asleep on my lap with his Nylabone.
I’m sitting in my daughter’s house in Utah with a torn ACL from a ski accident barely able to hobble around the house, wearing an epic knee brace. My life has slowed down dramatically and it gives me a different perspective on my days. I’m thankful that I’m not in pain. I’m trying to make the most out of the situation and strangely enough, I’m feeling positive. There are so many things in my life to be thankful for.
First, I’m thankful for my son and his girlfriend and the days they spent with us—before my accident. I’m thankful my son had returned to his home before I fell and he wasn’t with me. I will treasure the time skiing with my son, just like the days when he was a child living at home. It’s an activity that he and I shared and will still do (next year when I’m healed.) The time with our son is not very frequent now that he’s in the Bay Area and a working man.
My son and his girlfriend at The Little America Coffee Shop for dinner after skiing.
Second, I’m thankful for our good friends who came and shared their company with us over the New Year’s weekend. It was a 12-hour drive for them and I don’t take their sacrifice to leave their home and make the trek to stay with us lightly. The Thompson fire came within 400 yards of their home, and I’m thankful their home was spared and they are okay.
Third, I’m thankful for the patience my husband had for everyone taking off cross country and downhill skiing, leaving him in the house alone while we were out adventuring. Because of his bad knee, he didn’t want to join us. Ha! Now I can truly relate.
Fourth, I’m thankful for my daughter’s pug Waffles, who has been a comfort to me since the accident. He’s a good dog and likes nothing more than to snuggle and nap in my lap or next to my side. It sounds silly, but he’s wonderful company. I’m enjoying the sound of his snoring.
Fifth, I’m thankful for my daughter’s concern and her arranging friends to stop by and take Waffles out for walks. I love her texts and calls and the memories from the week we spent together over Christmas.
My daughter and I riding the chairlifts in Deer Valley this past summer.
Sixth, I’m thankful for rest. I’ve been napping and sleeping so much better than I have in years. I slept from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. without waking up once. Plus, I am napping during the day. I believe this ability to rest and sleep uninterrupted is God’s way of healing my body.
Seventh, I’m thankful for friends. I have received notes and calls of encouragement, concern, and an offer of a visit from a friend close-by. Often, my life is too busy and I don’t want to be bothered with other people. This has been a good reminder to reach out to friends and their importance in my daily life.
A Winter’s view from my daughter’s neighborhood.
What things are you thankful for in your life?
Hope you feel better soon!
Thank you! But, I don’t think it’s a “soon” thing. I’ll know more details after I go home and see an orthopedist and discuss surgery.
Ouch! Good luck!
Thank you!
Hello. I just wanted to comment and tell you how much I️ enjoy your swim articles on SwimSwam.
I️ am the parent of an 8 and under swimmer and find them so helpful.
Keep up the good work!
Thank you so much! Best of luck to you and your swimmer. Enjoy every moment! Thanks for commenting.
Thank you so much for the good wishes!
I’ll definitely be commenting a lot on your blog and asking for your advice on the swim world!
My daughter just turned 8. She’s kinda been in a stage lately where she hasn’t dropped time.
Did your kids ever go thru stages of not dropping time…for what seemed like an eternity?
She’s a good sport, hard worker, and has a good attitude. Hopefully those traits will push her thru this plateau she seems to be in lately.
She has a few meets coming up soon, so I’ll have to keep you posted on how she does!
Thanks again for the wonderful articles you write!
My daughter went through a huge period of time where she was in the “dreaded plateau.” I think it was close to two years. She wanted to break the 1:00 mark in the 100 free so badly. She was 11-12 at the time. Every meet she’d come so close. At a big championship meet she saw a 59 on the scoreboard and when the “official results” were posted it was a !:00!!! Then a few months later she swam a 56:79. Her coach asked her what happened to :57, :58 and :59! She said “They’re highly over-rated!” At age eight, relax and enjoy her growth and improvement. Don’t look at the times. Enjoy the team, the experience and all your swimmer can become. It’s so easy to get caught up in times, but in the end it’s a healthy, wonderful environment for your child to be in. Plus, great family times together.
That’s awesome about your daughter!!! Love that story!
It’s taken me a while to learn about swim. In the beginning, I️ thought she was suppose to drop time at every meet and look like Michael Phelps all the time, lol.
I️ really try to take your advice in the parent articles and enjoy it for what it is. I️ really want to be a great swim parent and not do anything that will make her hate swim.