Back in 2002 when HBO Real Sports was wrapping up a segment on me at the Tri Fitness competition I spoke about how I loved the cuts and bruises on me as I was able to truly “Live Life”.  It may seem a little crazy to some but to a girl who was told she would always be sick, “she can’t do this, she can’t do that, and she’d never be able to….” for most of her life, to be able TO DO now feels Life Affirming and just plain cool and I doubt it will ever change-even when I am well into my eighties.  YES, I said into my eighties.

Being able to truly experience life by “doing, breathing, leaping, playing” is a true gift-one I will never ever take for granted because I remember all the days I would stand at my window and watch life happening outside as I struggled to live. I wanted to be “out there” so bad and found a way to live inside my walls by walking on the treadmill for 2 minutes at a time, forcing myself to let the dog take me for a walk” crawling when I had to-just to MOVE.  SO why wouldn’t I feel proud and think it’s kind of cool when I get a bruise or a cut from doing things that others said I could never do or things I dreamed about one day-of course the “proof” I am living fully is cool.

The new scars I get to add is especially cool because it was from spending special moments living life with Liam and Ben.  We gave Liam a list of choices to do on a vacation day last week and he wanted to go climb rocks and have a picnic so that’s just what we did.  Watching the boys climb and jump and then being able to do it myself reminded me of how lucky I truly am to have this life and my health I fought (and others fought) so hard for.  And to be climbing with my son-living life, doing active things with him- that is an extra gift I will forever feel grateful for.

After a nice lunch and good conversation together we climbed more and as we were heading down a pretty big ledge Liam decided to be “curious” and go a steep way just as Ben said “this way” Liam went –“that way” and of course, Mommy armor went on and I immediately followed him.  As I saw his foot slip a little I launched for him to grab him and make sure he didn’t fall but I then lost my footing and knew I had 2 choices; head where I was leaning and fall on Liam or lean the opposite way away from Liam and any harm on him  and take a rough landing…guess what way I took?  Liam was safe and I was pretty tore up but as long as he was ok, I was ok.

Besides a torn pair of jeans, a bruised wrist, a couple bone bruises on both legs with a few cuts down one -I am fine.  Ben took good care of me and so did Liam –after I insisted we stay at the park a little longer so Liam could play-Ben just shook his head as blood streamed down my leg.  That’s just what moms do…and I didn’t want Liam to think Mommy was anything but the superhero he thinks I am.

It’s been a week since the fall and I am now back to doing my full training for my competition coming up in a few weeks…it’s all good …Life is meant to be lived and sometimes the living can be a bit painful but so well worth the journey in those moments.

Enjoy your life! Live it and experience the joys of good health and the ability you have “To Do”-don’t waste it.  And if you get a few cuts and bruises along the way-celebrate them as a sign you appreciate the gifts you have been given.  Bruises and cuts heal-the memories of living with the pride and accomplishments you achieve will last a lifetime.

LIVE LIFE FULLY and BELIEVE YOU CAN

Dottie