Approaching another year

In just over a week from now, I will be another year older.

The past year has been a very big one in my life. Having come close to death a few times, I am embracing life more and more. I have been in the hospital more it seems than I have been out and about. And then it hit me.

You were really stressed out.

So, after my doctor almost sent me to the hospital in an ambulance, and they changed by diet, I missed everything leading up to Christmas. I emerged from the hospital a bit wiser and more determined, I thought. Until an issue I had only discussed with a few people was suddenly resolved in a trip to Walgreens, I thought I was sentenced to another few years of continuing some heavy lifting duties.

Then my gallbladder remembered that it stopped working back in 2002, and that it didn't want to stay with me anymore. That meant another surgery.

But, in the midst of all of that, I was able to hear God. When my pastor came to me and told me to eliminate certain things from my diet, I obeyed immediately and know that if I hadn't, perhaps I wouldn't be writing this now, but I know I would not be where I am physically, emotionally, or spiritually.

All of this and more is on my mind as I approach the weekend before my birthday. And I am so grateful that I am able to think on these things.