Today is a good day. Today I celebrate life. If you’ve ever seen the Broadway musical “The Color Purple”, there is a part at the end of the show where the main character, Celie, sings out at the end of her big song, “I’m thankful for each day that I’m given. Both the easy and the hard ones I’m livin’. But most of all, I’m thankful for, lovin’ who I really am. I’m beautiful, yes I’m beautiful and I’m here!!” 
    Today I very much feel that way. Ten years ago today my life was irrevocably changed when I was hit by a drunk driver who was traveling the wrong way down a one way freeway. That set into motion a series of events that would eventually lead me to where I am today. I am a changed woman. A woman whose life was spared. I have been broken, disfigured, humbled, beaten down, and at times stripped of my dignity. But then like a phoenix rising from the ash, I have been artfully reconstructed, repaired, restored, loved and encouraged. I’ve come back stronger than ever and have been given so much and learned so many powerful lessons along the way. Things like forgiveness, compassion, patience and the gift of time. Also not to take a day or a smile for granted. 

   I can’t quite say I am grateful for crossing paths with that man in the early morning hours of November 3rd, 2007, but I am very blessed that my angels were looking out for me that day and for the lessons I learned along the way. 

    For the kindness and incredible care shown to me by my amazing friends and family both in the days immediately following and in the years to come, I am so thankful. You bathed me, housed me, changed my IV’s and told me I would be alright even on my darkest days. I am grateful and I am here. 

   For my body and it’s incredible ability to bounce back from the brink of destruction and to rebuild itself into the true miracle of a shell I always knew was there. I was told shortly afterwards that the impact I withstood was similar to that of a 10 pound bowling ball being dropped on someone’s face standing from 10 feet directly above them. Every bone in my face was broken. All but one of my teeth were affected by the trauma of the accident. What a magnificent vessel the human body is. It can repair itself after just about anything. I am grateful for it. And I’m here. 

    To my doctors and nurses, PA’s and caregivers alike. You are the true heroes of this story. As the sign on my maxillofacial plastic surgeon’s office so accurately stated, he was “all the king’s horses and all the king’s men”, because he sure knew how to put Humpty Dumpty back together again. The miracles of modern medicine are truly a wonderful thing. I went from a girl whose close friends didn’t recognize her in the days following the accident to a woman most people I meet now don’t know a thing ever happened to. I am so grateful. And I am here. 

   And for the times that seemed almost too much to bear, the toothless, painful, soul crushing, indignant experiences that made me feel like I wasn’t sure I could get through it. Looking back, I now see that it was all a lesson in patience. And at the end of the day, I am grateful. I am good. I am beautiful. And I’m here.