Tuesday, Nov 25 and moving forward as usual

Well, I am doing OK for now. It seems like when I try to do things that used to be easy now hurt more today and even more tomorrow. That is OK because God let the sun come up and allowed me to be here to enjoy it. I am on vacation this week and that should mean I get to sleep late. Well, I am up around 5 to 6 in the mornings, but that is OK. It makes the days seem longer, but that is allowed, too.
I had two notes to my last blog. These replies always lighten me up. One of these was from a dear old friend of ours (Art). He introduced me to Betty many years ago and I still thank him for that. I have three beautiful daughters and one son. What a great feeling that is and a grandson coming soon. He will not be here for Christmas this year, but should be here by my birthday. The other note was from my cousin Jo. She was one of those special people in my life that helped in the way I came up (no, don't blame her for that because she helped with the good side of me). She has always been a special person for me to enjoy being around. I don't get to see here much anymore, but she is in my mind a lot. Growing up, you always look up to someone and want to be as great as they are. Her, and her sister, Lori, were a very positive influence on how I am today. I guess I love people like I do because of how they helped me growing up. Thanks Jo, and Lori, too, for being a special person in my life when I was still learning how you should be. It means a lot to me!
I went to Huntsville yesterday to do some work to our trailer there. Betty stopped by on her way back from Dallas for Megan's baby shower. She told me that she made a list of things that needed to be taken care of. I took my pressure washer up there for cleaning the green off the back side. Betty said it was about an hours worth of work. Four and a half hours later, I finished that project. The door needed some repairs, the screen door needed a handle put on and one light in the bathroom needed a "new switch". The door and screen were pretty simple to do. The light was another issue. It would not work so I took it apart to find out if it had power or not. As I was removing it, it come on and then went off again. The told me that it was not the switch. Power to it was OK. I re-wired it since that was where the problem seems to be and messed with the light bulb outlets and it worked when I left. My three or so hours there turned out to be all day. I left around 7:30AM and returned last night at 7PM. WHAT FUN I HAD! I can sure feel it today. My shoulder still hurts and I am tired all over, but I still woke up this morning. That makes it a great day, huh?
Sometimes, when people ask me how I am doing, I really don't know how to answer them. I take it as a general question and give the answer that I am thankful to still be here. I really don't think most people want the details of where I hurt and when I hurt. Someone at work asked me a while back why I was always in such a good, cheerful mood. All I can do with this is to tell why. It is a fact, the closer you are to the train, the brighter the light seems. I think at one point in my history, I was ready to board it and the prayers of family and friends kept me around. How can I not be in a good mood after that? Life is what we make it to be. Cheerful, pleasant and enjoyable. Every day is great as long as we wake up breathing on our own. If you are one of those people that has one of those "downer" moods, you need to allow God into your life and allow Him to help you make everything positive. Smile and move forward! Trust me, the shoe on the other foot is not pleasant. Appreciate what you have, smile and move forward. There are people here that are glad you are still here.
Make the most of your day. Enjoy your Thanksgiving holiday and enjoy the people around you. They are there because they are a special person to you (or maybe because there is good food). I would say for you to not eat too much, but that would be a waste of effort to ALL of us. We always do it and ALWAYS wish we hadn't. Just smile and move forward. It will be OK to suffer like we do EVERY year....
My love to all of you. Respond or not, as long as you check in to see how I am doing, I am OK with that.
Mark 11/25/08

Tuesday, Nov 18 and still here

Well, it has not been long since my last update, but I still check to see if anybody stills reads. Sallie sent me a reply to my last one and reading her comments always makes me feel loved and happy. I talked with several people that know me from work but are not there to see me daily. I speak to Randy on the phone pretty regularly and he is always so helpful to me. It amazes me that he recognizes my voice on the phone. We discussed how I am and how I am progressing. He does not hesitate to remind me just how lucky I am to still be here breathing and able to do a lot of the things I can do. Talking about it makes me remember just how lucky I really am. I have known Randy for about 4 or 5 years, mostly over the phone. I have met him a couple of times, but he is a jewel at his job. In my old position, I talked to him anywhere from two to ten times a week. Jennie is another one of those people I deal with over the phone, too. She also recognizes my voice. She is another one of those people that tells me regularly that I am one of the lucky ones. These comments always pick me up no matter where I am, but just to know they still think about how I am means so much. I have also met with her a couple of times, but mostly deal with her on the phone. She was concerned for me for next week because she would be off on vacation. I told her this would not be an issue because I am off, too. We both got a good laugh over it. I must have one of those voices that are easy to pick up on because Jeremy is another one who recognizes my voice. I am sure the phone system helps all three of them know where it is coming from, but to recognize a voice is one of those rare things.
Another thing I get asked a lot is how come I am always in a good mood. People don't realize how bright the light is unless you are real close to the train. It almost got me so everyday is great now. Smile and move forward. I have people tell me a lot that I am so easy and pleasant to work with and that is because I try to treat people how I want to be treated. Just after my accident, one of my co-workers told me I could have my old job back because there were so many people involved that were hard to work with. I never had this issue before and wondered how this would work out. So many told me that they were SO glad I was back. What should this tell me? I may be a little slow, but not THAT slow...
Life is good and life is great, but having special friends and family is always a great thing. Just think, in a few months I will start using my new name. Grandpa is one of those "old fashion" names that I am looking forward to.
My love to all of you that still read this. Whether you write back or not does not matter. In my heart, you are there in that special place. Until I decide to bother you again, I am still breathing on my own. May God be there for you as He was definitely there for me and my family. Makes this holiday season a special time for you and your loved ones.
Mark 11/18/08

Friday, Nov 14 and still progressing

Well, some time has passed since my last update, but I am still here and still breathing on my own. This makes it a great day. My Dad's birthday came and went and so did Betty's. These days, as they should be, are special to them and are an important part of life itself and I am glad to be here to help them enjoy these days.
Dad and I went hunting a couple of week ago and getting around in this terrain is still tougher than it used to be. Climbing in to the stand is still tough, but getting down is harder. I am able to do it so this means a lot.
I am convinced that people don't look at my comments posted here much anymore, but that is OK, too. I have come to the conclusion that I write here to help me exercise my brain a little bit and to update my status to those that still read it. When I take Matt to soccer practice, I sometimes try to walk a little bit around the park. I can make it most of the way around the track before my pelvic area starts to hurts. I end up limping most times by the end, but I have to push myself to do it again next time. I notice climbing ladders at work hurts less than it used to, but I still can't go to far without some pain and getting tired. When walking, my right pelvic area is what hurts and climbing gets me in the same area. I guess this is the damage I did here when I fell. I hope with time, it will get better, but the progress is not going as fast as I wish it did. I guess I can deal with the discomfort as long as God let's me wake up breathing.
Well, it looks like winter is finally going to make it here. It is supposed to be down in the 30's this weekend and part of next week, too. I guess I get to find out just what cold weather will do to my pain level. If it causes problems, God will help me deal with it and move on with life.
I get asked almost every week about my outlook on life itself. People still don't understand why I always see the bright things in life and why I am always in a good mood. I guess if these people had to deal with the problems my family and friends had to deal with to keep me around, they would realize how much better today is than where it was 18 months ago. How bright the light is depends on how close you were to the train. Yes, it nearly hit me and I am still here to treasure EACH and EVERY day.
I am going to close this note for now. My love is extended to each of you. Don't be afraid to talk to God to help you get through any problems that are there for you and your loved ones. He listens well and will help you understand what needs to happen.
Thanks for wasting your time here with me.
Mark 11/14/08