I have a student who routinely likes to ask me questions. Sometimes they are questions about things pertaining to the work we are doing together in the Writing Center and sometimes they are just about anything she can think of. The other day she asked me if I had ever hit my head really hard, so I told her she needed to finish completing her assignment. Then I would tell her the story of how I went face first through the sunroof of my car and we would have a fascinating talk about head injuries.

Today, she asked me if I had any superpowers. (My student really likes comic book characters, Harry Potter, and fantasy type things). I thought I was going to have to disappoint her when I got an alert on my phone during one of our breaks. It was from my Facebook “On This Day” feature and it reminded me that exactly 4 years ago today, I received my third and final pacemaker implantation in Boston. I was at Brigham and Women’s hospital after I had rejected my pacemaker battery 3 times before a wonderful surgeon was able to place my pacemaker battery and leads for the 3rd and final time. My wonderful cardiologist from Albany sent me to him after deciding he wanted a “fresh set of eyes” to look at the situation. Now, as a result, I have a whole team of cardiologists who check in on my ”ticker”. It’s a wonderful, group of doctor’s and I love them all.

2015 HOSPITAL PICTURES ABOVE 👆🏼

So I explained to my student when we returned from our break today that I DID in fact, have a “superpower”. I had a battery that made my heart beat and it would likely make it beat for a very long time. In fact, someday, when I eventually am no longer living, someone will most likely have to turn it off. She thought that was pretty cool. I showed her a picture of what it looked like inside my body, (I have an x-ray on my phone of one of my first pacemakers) and I let her touch the one currently inside me where the skin near my shoulder covers the wire caps. I also told her they let me keep the old battery I had and that I had it at home. She asked me to please bring it in, as she would really like to see it and hold it in her hand. I told her I’d be happy to do that for her.

I had to remind her (& myself if we’re being honest) that having a pacemaker wasn’t my only “superpower”. Some of my other specialties include some things that are not battery operated like being able to soothe babies when they cry. I try to be an empathetic and compassionate friend and a good listener when people need a shoulder to lean on and an ear to bend. I can find the GOOD in almost any situation. That might not be a traditional superpower but being a positive person sure is a great life skill to have.

I try to be someone who will watch kids for free so you can go on a date with your “special someone”. Or so you can vote, get your hair done, go to a book club, or make that movie you’ve been trying to go to but life keeps getting in the way. Childcare isn’t cheap, & I can appreciate that.

I often pay for the person behind me in line at Dunkin’ Donuts because it makes my day when someone does that for me and starting a chain of kindness is totally what THE GOOD STUFF is all about. None of this makes me a saint or a hero, but I like to think it’s all a power I harness within myself to do “good stuff”, and really, that’s what it’s all about.

The biggest change between now and where I was 4 years ago, is just how stinking happy I am now!! I am so content with my life. I have family, friends, love & a work-life balance that brings a smile to my face and I just feel so full of life. I couldn’t be happier or feel luckier. I thank my lucky stars every day. So much good stuff has come my way and I am beyond grateful, thankful and so very blessed.

I know that if I ever get sick again, I’ll have a great team to care for me, wonderful friends and family to help me along the road to recovery and a glass half full of lemonade from life’s lemons to drink along the way.

But I’m incredibly hopeful that there is nothing but clear skies ahead for this gal!! Cheers to another year of #JUSTTHEGOODSTUFF!!! Next year will be #ONLYTHEGREATSTUFF!!!