Sunday, March 9 and still moving along

Another week has passed us by and I woke up this morning breathing on my own. That makes it a good day! All is going well for me. I still have pains every day and may have them for the rest of my life, but thanks to God's help, I am still here. I got out in the back yard today and tried to do a few things that my body is not ready for, yet. I have a small wooden walkway that I built SO MANY years ago. I need to work on it some and just trying to move it hurts. I will learn someday that I can not lift anything heavy that is on the ground or floor, but my mind seems to think I can. Therefore, I try and it proves what is right and what is wrong. I just have to keep trying to improve or I will never be where I think I can be,
I had a message from Janet in my last entry. She is one of my older cousins that shows me how important my life is to so many. It always means the world to see her write me some words of encouragement. She made a comment about our minds and how taking some time off of work effects it. She is so right on this one. My mind is not the same as it was before and I HOPE it will be someday. Betty tells me quite regularly how my mind is not all there, yet. So many things used to be easy for me to remember, but now they are not. Names and numbers seem to be the worst of this. I was never real good at names, but once I learned it, I was OK. And numbers? Tell me your phone number and I would usually remember it. That is not so true anymore. I have to really push myself to come up with phone numbers that I call a lot. If this number has been with me for a few years, I am OK for the most part. I have numbers at work that I call a lot and can't seem to remember them, yet. And, if that were not enough, I have a hard time remembering someone's name to look it up. One thing about me that has not changed much is may attitude towards people. I always wanted to be one of those people that was easy to get along with and enjoyable to be around. For the most part, that is still there, unless something sets me off. This happens a lot more now than before. Sometimes, it is the simple things that will do it to me. Like putting something in the dishwasher. If this item won't fit it easily, the trouble begins. Or, like getting a trash bag out of the box. If I can not grab it in a couple of tries, the box is torn open so next time this won't be a problem. Somehow, I have to get over all of this, but it will be a hard thing to do.
Life is going good for me most of the time, though. We went to the Houston rodeo last Thursday night and all the walking made me so sore that I was limping when we got back to the car. This still drives me nuts not being where I want to be, but I will have to make adjustments and move on. Life is great because so many people still love me so much and care about me. This always means so much to me.
I went in a couple of days ago and re-read my blog notes from early after my accident and this still scares me still. I realize that I am so lucky to still be around for every one to love on. The notes did not sound as if I would still be around but thanks to all the family and friends pulling for me, I am still here. The love and support came from so many different people and directions. Everyone worked with God to bring me back to life! Thank you so much for caring and reading about all of this for me. And one more thought, yes, Janet, I am your younger cousin, but am VERY PROUD of that. It is one thing about being the youngest in my generation of the Bradley family. So many there have stayed in touch and it always means so much every time I get an e-mail, card or even just a thought. I love you all and will be there in June to bother EVERY ONE of you!
Passed on with great love and thoughts to you all.
Mark 3/9/08