February 23, 2017 I have done a ton of things before falling ill, and for taking advantage of life like that, I am grateful. Currently, this is what I have done.

Repelled off 100 foot tower, off a helicopter, flown a Cessna, assisted in the search and rescue of a downed plane in West Virginia, horseback rode for 5 years and won awards during jumping competitions and other shows, did dog shows with my middle school teacher with my then dog Phoebe, trained dogs, assisted in a soup kitchen, did a church event with friends way back when that was quite the experience, took fencing, was on the swim team in my local neighborhood swimming pool, went to New Orleans with my high school and a few others from the school to help rebuild homes and help those affected by Hurricane Katrina 6 months after the hurricane hit (it looked as though it had been hit the day before), camped out in Louisiana with Peace Corp folk, went camping in Delaware, Virginia, and Boston, saw multiple broadway shows in New York, did jazz, bellydancing and pole dancing, was in soccer and basketball. My favorite out of all would be when I learned how to box. In middle school I was on the track team, played the trumpet and was in choir, and in musicals and even performed a duo from my choir and was in the church choir as well. I self taught myself piano and the guitar. I was in the SCA (Student Council Association) and Yearbook committee. In high school during the time I was in a private school I was in the school band. It was awesome, we even played at a local event. I have been to countless events in DC, been to all the museums there since a child (you take for granted the fact that DC is the only place that museums do not cost money to get into), have been to about half of the National Parks in Virginia, have been to every single Northern Virginia National Park, have explored some parks in Maryland and DC as well. I have gazed under the West Virginia stars, and worked on my dad’s farm in Richmond growing up, being exposed to all sorts of animals and learning how to fish and do farm work. I have gone to multiple zoos throughout the Eastern coast, I have danced at weddings, I’ve gone karaoking, I have traveled, I have owned my own place, I lived on my own since 18. I have seen the beauty of the many different states, and so much more. I had three beautiful children naturally, one who passed away in my arms less than half an hour after birth. I have known love, I have known loss, I have been in love, and I have been loved. I have known betrayal, I have been physically and sexually assaulted, I have learned forgiveness, I have learned when to fight and when to be silent, all while always working and providing for my little family. I have learned so much just by being a parent, and continue to learn daily.

To say I haven’t lived, to say I haven’t experienced, to say I have done nothing with my life is FAR from the truth. I’m so limited on my capabilities. I thrived on hiking, on going out every weekend with the kids and being out from day to night. So now, I must look at life in a different way.