Gifts

"Sometimes the gifts we are given are not the ones we ask for. The important thing is what we do with the gifts we are given."

Yup...not being able to do much the last few days has forced me to watch stupid sappy Christmas movies on some woman's channel. I know...i could change the channel, but i am horribly fascinated by the impossibly, unbelievably sweet happy endings. OK....and i like to make fun of them. Whatever.

Anyway.

So one line in a movie started me thinking about all the gifts i have in my life.
Wonderful parents, who were willing to come here for thanksgiving so that Heather and I wouldn't be alone. At least until I told her she would have to cook the whole thing. I kid...I told them to stay home. Heather and I being alone is a misconception. We aren't alone as long as we have each other, and all of you. A mother who would come all the way here to be in the hospital with me, and a father who would call in the afternoon to find out how i am. Even though he tried to disguise it as a when are you coming home call. I heard her answer your question about how i was before she told you when she was coming home. You've been busted.
Sisters...I have three. three of the most beautiful, caring, supportive and amazing women anyone will ever meet. No one could ask for better ones.
Friends. Friends who keep the laughter in my life. OK...so making up stories about whats gonna happen while I'm under the knife may be pushing it. Or making the suggestion that i should get a tattoo while I'm there. However...some of the suggestions for that tattoo were pretty damn funny. I won't mention them here...its a family blog.
You are all my family...and i know, and am eternally grateful for that gift. I didn't ask for a damn one of you...but your were given to me anyway...and you're stuck with me.
Strength. the strength to deal with awful, painful, yucky things being done to your special places in order to make something wrong right. keep your fingers crossed on that one..i won't know for a few months. If it didn't work...THAT useless piece of my body will be removed. Even if i have to do it myself. Today is the first day i have not slept all day. that i haven't been in too much pain. that i actually didn't look or feel like i was on the edge of death. that i felt good enough to leave my house for the first time since Wednesday.
Knowledge. the next time a medical professional tells me i will have a one day recovery period...i will know enough to smack them. hard.
Percoset. The guy that invented that needs his own national holiday. With parades and fireworks. he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize. I love that guy. He has replaced Toby as my next husband.
Heather. My daughter is the greatest gift i have ever gotten. You all know her..but do you know all the gifts she has and shares with me? Imagination..."i thought they were gonna do this thing with a blow torch or something". Curiosity. She told me she raised her hand in biology and said "my mother is getting her uterus fried tomorrow. how do they actually do that?" she assures me that she didn't really do that, but I'm not sure i believe her. Humor. I yelled at her the other day (i was a little cranky) and she looked at me and said "fried uterus on the edge!" That kid is soooooooooo funny. I think she gets that from me. Caring. she made me dinner, without being asked. went to the store without complaining. suggested a heating pad to try to ease the pain. Love....she sat and just held my hand when the pain was the worst. checked my forehead for fever while i was sleeping. Her voice. She has an absolutely beautiful singing voice, that i love to hear coming out of her room. I have been listening to her practice Silent Night day and night, wait till you hear it. It might bring tears to your eyes. My daughter. My beautiful daughter who will be 12 already (she CANT be any older than that) in just a few short days...Happy Birthday Heather. I love you.

I have been given many many gifts in my life. Most I know what to do with, a few I don't, but I will learn. Because I can.