Twenty Five Years Ago...

Twenty five years ago I had been 16 for almost a month.

Twenty five years ago I had been driving solo for almost a month and had already had a fender-bender in my Dad's truck!

Twenty five years ago I had known about the cancer residing in my body for about 2 weeks.

Twenty five years ago today I was having surgery to amputate my right leg above the knee.

I woke up to a room full of flowers and cards from family, friends, and classmates (many of whom I have reconnected with via Facebook). I also woke up to a world that was totally changed.

I just didn't realize how much it had changed.

I thought I knew about friendship before my surgery. I didn't. I began my junior year of high school on crutches most days and on an extremely painful artificial leg others and wearing a wig.

My close friends never faltered. They were helpful and encouraging. They made jokes about my leg and my baldness. I needed that and I needed them. Even classmates that weren't particularly close friends were more helpful than they may have realized. They treated me normally. I didn't feel like the "odd one legged bald kid".

To any of you from Crossett High class of 1987 who may be reading this--thank you sincerely.

My family, where to begin? Parents who sacrificed maybe more than I will ever know to make sure that I had the best medical care, the best artificial legs available at the time, and who were there every. single. painful. step of the way. I had that and I appreciate it even more twenty five years later if that's possible.

My sister, who was an impish 10 year old at the time, was light to my parents and to me more often than she knew. She, too, was thrown into a world that no 10 year old should be thrown into. I don't know if she ever resented me and all the time that my illness took Mom and Dad away but I never knew about it if she did. I remember her literally holding my hand a lot.

I don't often think about life before when I had two "normal" legs. This is my normal. I get up every morning and put on an artificial leg that is far better than the first ones I had.

And, I'm thankful.

I'm thankful for cancer and for amputation. Without those things in my life--and all the icky things that they brought and pain that they still bring--I may not truly appreciate each day.

So, today, I will look back, remember, and be thankful. But, by the grace of God, I will also continue to walk forward...and be so very, very thankful.