Exercising that Gratitude Muscle

Eight days ago, I announced my return to the blogosphere and my intent to get my head back into the healthy game. Since then, I've signed up for and paid for a Boot Camp class that begins on Monday and I narrowly escaped death.

Adversity
 

 Last Wednesday night, the hubs and I were on our way to West Virginia for a long weekend of camping with friends. Our plan was to drive halfway and spend the night in Lexington, KY.

About 45 minutes after stopping for dinner, we were heading up the Bluegrass Parkway going about 60 mph when we "think" we blew a tire on our camper. Despite his heroic efforts, T could not get us under control. To make a long story short, the force of the sway flipped the camper and then our truck on its side. We were fortunate enough to literally WALK away from this accident.

Acceptance
It would be easy to succumb to the anger of a totaled camper and a heavily damaged truck. It would be easy to let the aftermath of insurance red tape, the inconvenience of a rental car, and trying to get our camper replaced to get us down. It would be easy to ask "why us?. But, the first step to overcoming adversity is accepting your circumstances and moving forward from there.

While I know this phrase gets a lot of play and is often considered trite, I think it fits here... "it is what it is."
The hardest part of this accident was missing out on a trip that we had been planning for over a year. But, we can't go back in time and change any of it. It was a freak accident and no one was at fault. Instead of reading a blog post written by me, you could be reading an In Memoriam written by someone I left behind. The anecdote of Anger is Gratitude. And, I am grateful to God for a number of things:

• If not for the sheer force of will that my husband used to wrangle our vehicle, we could have flipped at 60 mph instead of 30 mph. Thank God for him and his quick thinking. 
• Thank God for Ford Trucks with side impact airbags. Without them, my right side would be crushed. 
• Thank God for seat belts. Without them, we would have been a grease spot on the interstate. 
• Thank God there weren't many people on the highway at 10 pm and that the 18 Wheeler behind us was able to stop. We merely inconvenienced a few people by closing down the Bluegrass Parkway for a couple of hours instead of injuring or killing someone else who might have crashed into us.
• Thank God for the all Volunteer Fire and EMS Department of Elizabethtown, KY. Their kindness and helpfulness will never be forgotten 
• Most of all Thank God for our friends and family who have helped us recover in ways that we will never be able to fully convey.

The Point
It must be said that we have the best friends on the planet. So many people offered to come and get us while we were stuck in Kentucky. Our neighbors brought us food when we finally got home. And yet another one of our peeps came to help us unload the Uhaul we had to rent to cart the stuff we salvaged from the camper.

We are so fortunate to have such a wonderful extended family. I mean seriously, how many people can say they have friends that would make "flat" versions of you and send pictures all weekend to make sure you still felt included in the trip you were missing.

My heart is full knowing these people are, and will always be, a huge part of our lives. Please note that the adults didn't create the flat versions of the Angells. It was their kids.

I am sick about missing out on this fun filled weekend. But, I know there will be others. This week, we are regrouping and trying to get things back to normal as much as possible. Each day things get a little better than the day before. We've both been pretty sore. But, come Monday at 5:15 am I will be bright eyed, bushy tailed and ready to get my ass kicked at Boot Camp. Well... bright eyed and bushy tailed is probably a lie. But, I WILL be there prepared to get my ass kicked. Why? Because I can and because it's what I need.

I choose to be grateful for the gifts that have been bestowed upon me and I choose to be the best "me" I can possibly be.

Cheers!
Margar