Winter's Here!

Danny, Emma and I just went for a lovely evening walk. It's supposed to be an insanely cold and snowy winter, and we're very excited! For example, just now when we went for the little evening stroll, it was 16 degrees and dropping quickly. The low for tonight is -2 and the high for tomorrow is 15 degrees.

 If you look closely, you can see my eyes.

Danny bundled me up, nice and cozy!

When it started snowing a few days ago I had a bit of anxiety. I was excited for the change of season, but in the same moment I flashed back to the last time I was in the snow. It was last April. The 9th, a Friday, and Danny and I were snowshoeing around the outskirts of Mission Ridge. During the middle of the outing I had a massive headache, which led to a doctor's appointment the following Monday, and the diagnosis on Tuesday.

Life was pretty different then, pretty carefree. I didn't have to worry too much about my diet, my limitations, my stress levels, a need for rest, my future or anything for that matter. If you would have asked me at the time though, I probably would have rattled off a list of things that I was worried about, and stressing over. I remember looking at the photos from that day and I couldn't stand how I looked in the pictures. I didn't like my hair. Now, I laugh at that and think about how lucky I was, and I didn't even know it. Man, life can sure change in an instant.

I think that most people are grateful all year long, but right now, this week, we have time to truly celebrate giving thanks. I'm thankful for my life, and my health. I'm thankful to all of my friends and family. I'm grateful for the wonderful man in my life, who has been so patient throughout this insane life that we've come to know and navigate. I'm grateful for all of the people that I see being kind to others, especially when they don't even know people are watching. I'm grateful for miracles, big and small. I'm just so grateful.

Andrea Luthringer Martin

Just a moment ago, I sat down on the couch with my TCU Magazine. It comes four times a year, and I love perusing through it. Everytime, before I even read any articles I flip to the back to see the Alum News section. It's where you find all the fun photos of weddings, babies and alumni gatherings. Today, at the end of the section Frogs We Will Miss, I saw Andrea Luthringer Martin's name. She was in my pledge class in Pi Phi. It was a class of less than 50. I feel like such an idiot that I didn't know that things were so bad. I've been so out of the loop for so many months.

There's a blog that I found, that was written by her mother, father, mother-in-law, and father-in-law. I started reading it, and I just continued to go back further, and further, until I couldn't read it any longer. I feel sick to my stomach. The account of her story was so honest, and so heartbreaking. Here I was, soon to go into surgery, and she lost her battle. Just as her fight was ending, mine was beginning. I wish I could have spoken to her. 

If you want to check out her blog, please do. I don't think anyone's managing it anymore, but it's a story that should be shared. If you get the chance to read it, please think of her family, and her husband especially during these holidays that are rapidly approaching. I can't imagine how hard it would be to be in their position, missing Andrea so much.

She was an extremely kind, intelligent, compassion person and I'm better having known her in the short time that I did. Life can be short, and I have to cherish every moment of it. Not just for me or my friends and family, but also in honor of people like Andrea. It's important that we don't take our health and life for granted. Our lives and our health are a gift.