Giving Thanks

As I write this during the Thanksgiving weekend, it makes sense to give thanks on many things, especially when it comes to being able to move better after surgery. 

Like the having a "Why" for life and work, we should also have a "Why We Had This Surgery" when it comes to joint replacement. Knowing that less pain will allow for more activity, helps to answer the why we went through the struggles of post op pain and stiffness. 

So, I'm thankful that I'm now able to cut the grass, rake leaves, trim back the tall grasses, and get my yard transitioned from Fall to Winter. I'm thankful I can climb ladders again and hang Christmas decorations. 

I'm thankful I was able to hike in Gatlinburg with friends last weekend, not even 3 months after surgery. Of course I was the slowest and had to use walking sticks, but I'm back in the mix of things after missing an earlier trip they took out to Napa Valley... without me. 

I'm thankful I was able to dance a bit again with my wife while watching a friend sing rock-n-roll to a packed house at a local watering hole. And I'm thankful that I'll be able to travel again and walk around Spain and Portugal for an upcoming trip with my 2 daughters. 

My getting back to the "Why" in life will be a little hard on my rusty left hip, and I know this means another joint replacement soon. But when that time comes I'm thankful for my orthopedist and the medical team at the hospital. I'm not looking forward to another surgery, but I am looking forward to more trips, and more taking care of chores, and more figuring out how I can make a difference in this world. 

Hope you had a great Thanksgiving! What are you thankful for?