In this life that we live in, getting caught up in everyday life is easy. To forget where you've come from, to lose track of past relationships, to not remember the footprints you left in past experiences - it's so easy to forget.
The holiday season allows for these types of things to be revisited. It's the time of year where one can catch up with others, share a laugh or two and recollect on the times that can still make you smile to this day. Thankfully, I have plenty of these experiences and through the grace of God, have come away with memories that will last a lifetime.
It's hard for me to not go back to that night in July two years ago. I've come to a realization that the bruises have disappeared and the scars have faded, but the experiences will never leave me. I have tried not to let the injury define me but have failed essentially, as it is something I cannot put away. The direction has been shifted to a positive one as the wisdom I have attained is for the betterment of a promising future.
Without the injury ever occurring in my life, I really have no idea as to where I would be. The degree of angst that I face at the moment may be non-existent and who really knows as to where I would be in terms of baseball. The answer will be forever unknown but one thing is for sure - I'm much happier now than I ever dreamed I would be years ago.
Here I am, giving thanks to the wonderful life I have been allowed to live, over two years since my accident. The times in the hospital following my surgeries saw some of the darkest times of my life but through it all, I have always tried to find the light. The light became really dark at times, almost unbearable to move any further but a goal of fulfilling a life of happiness has always kept me going.
It's brought me to finding a true love of my life.
As I approach my final semester of graduate school, I can only help but smile. I've seen the in and outs of the United States, traveled across the world to Australia, met the girl of my dreams and established a beautiful network of friends. I've recollected on a fantastic childhood and grown closer to a family that has always been by my side. Life is good, especially when I take a look back at the wonderful opportunities that God has blessed me with.
My walk with Jesus has been an issue that I've wanted to improve upon. At times I feel like I could never be closer, but in others, the path seems so distorted. The ground I walk on now is becoming stronger and hopefully I can continue to be guided in direction of the Lord. Religion is such a touchy subject nowadays and it's really hard to speak about it with others. The bottom line is to each is their own and nobodies stories will ever be the same. Everyone has been given their own walk and it is up to them to give thanks to the opportunities they have been given.
Giving thanks is an easy way to remember the happy times in your life. Try to remember the good times and bring back the fond memories you shared in making you who you are today. Nobody is perfect and making mistakes is easy, no matter how great you think you may be.
Thank you to all who have inspired me in my life and given me a chance when I was sure no other had existed. Thank you to those who opened your doors to me and treated me like a son. Thank you everyone who have never given up on me and helped me smile when things did not go my way. Thank you to you all who continue to inspire me and continue to show me that there is no limit in how far a dream can stretch.
You've allowed me to continue to pursue a life of happiness.
I'm one blessed kid that's for sure.