I thought I smoked because it was stress relief, but brain surgery for what doctors figured that was partly stress related. Guess that smoking thing wasn't working out so well... Thankfully, I quit, and started to run. I then rode a bike, and got into the pool, because there was a period of time that I couldn't lace up, and run. All of this became my new stress reliever.
Last year, I joined a local Masters swim club, and immediately started tracking my mileage towards a Million Meter Challenge. Well, last night, during a tough swim set, I hit a milestone, 1/5th of the way to 1,000,000 meters. 200,000 meters swum, 200 kilometres. By me. While the number may be insignificant, or irrelevant, the achievement, for me, is monumental.
You see, 10 years ago, at 23 years of age, already a mother... I needed to be closely monitored. Watched while having a bath. To make sure I didn't drown in there, if I had another seizure, which was likely to happen, as many days I had 30 or more.
That I am able to, without a second thought, swim in a lake, or lap after lap in a Masters' session with other swimmers and triathletes, is simply awesome.
Each time I hit the road, hop on the bike or get in the water, I try to remember that someone else can't. Someone else won't. There was a time I couldn't, a time I wouldn't. I don't take any of it for granted. I promise.
18 comments:
Love this post! I know I've said this before, but you are an inspiration! I can't even imagine what it must have been like for you before. You are doing such amazing things with your life now and it's just awesome! Yay for you! :)
Congrats on the milestone! Quite the inspiration! I just love your story!!
Great positive change! Congratulations well done and well deseerved!
Cheers from Hong Kong!
"XTB" Xavi.
Great for you!
Well done! Inspirational.
what an incredible change for the better!!
Your story is so incredible and inspiring! You have done so great!!
I get goosbumps every time I hear/read your story... truly incredible! Your passion for life and the sport(s) are evident in everything you do!
Thank you so much for sharing this with us. Although I don't post much, I consider you to be a true inspiration to me and a great reminder to the many things I can overcome in this life.
Seriously Mel, you are such an inspriration to me, seriously, some day we will race together and I will give you a big old bear hug, the type that makes you squeak.
these posts never cease to amaze me! :) you are awesome mel! <3
hmm brain surgery for stress-relief... hmmmm ;)
Thanks, Mel, for reminding me to not take anything for granted.
Inspiring as always!
Congrats on the milestone :-)
Melanie - Congrats on all the milestones you have reached- you are very inspirational to say the least! I didn't know you had a blog! How awesome - me too! Mine is a 'first time mama' blog ... not quite the same topics as yours - but still fun to write nonetheless! Great job with your blog- Love it alot! :)
~Skye
I added myself to follow your blog. You are more than welcome to visit mine and become a follower if you want to.
God Bless You :-)
~Ron
Wow, that's really something. You've certainly come a long way. Great story.
Mom's Home run
great to see your posts again. amazing what you've been through.
"some one else can't" is often the mantra that keeps me going. I work with people who have had traumatic brain injuries, and many of them can't do what we do, as much as they might want to.
It's good to remember that.
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