April 7th, 2014 my vehicle was struck at highway speeds causing multiple injuries. I was 3 blocks from home, in an intersection I drove thru multiples times a day, in a neighborhood I have lived in for 30 years and I had a green light.  

A year later, I have 95% range of motion in my arm, a little less in my thumb & a "new normal" when it comes to my brain.  (see my blog about my brain injury here )  That blog talks about all the things that I'm still dealing with but I wanted to take a minute and speak my gratitude.  Let's do this!  

1.  I'm alive!  It could have been so much worse, I am so lucky!
2. Thank God that my 3 year old son was not with me. 
3. ​My husband didn't kill me, there were days that I wouldn't blame him if he had (Thank you, Tony)
4. I still have a sense of humor.  My jokes might not make sense now but that's what makes them funny :) #mushybrain
5. My closest friends bathed me, nothing says 'close' like that! (Jamie, Tony & Alison!)
6. I had a redheaded chauffer for almost 3 months- privileged! (thank you, mom!, and all my other taxi-driver-wannabes)
7. I can touch my nose again!
8. I have kept my job throughout restricted hours & multiple limitations (thank you, Lorri!)
9. I spent months propped up with pillows, giggling with my 3 year old- he kept me from losing it multiple times (Thank you, EJ!)
10. So many people cooked for us & brought me caribou! (Thank you Lori, Teresa, Emily, Kelsey, & more!)
11. My photography clients stuck in there & had so much patience with me! (Thank you, clients!)
12. My photography business didn't close thanks to 1 person- Jessi.  I couldn't have done it (and still can't do it) without you!
13. The first time I felt like 'myself' again was at the lake last summer (Thank you CBay'ers!) 
14. I haven't laughed this hard in my whole life. Who would have thought?!  If you've heard my laugh this year, it's thanks to you!  
15. Some friends & family have had to redefine "Carissa" in their heads and I'm so thankful they were willing to do that and not make me feel like I lost my support system.  
16. Music.  Thank you.  Sometimes a song can reset me. It can teach me things. It can relax me. It can energize me.  #newnormal
17. Pillows and blankets, thank you.  
18. ​I think 8 or 9 people have given me teas, recipes, etc. to try and combat these headaches, Thank you!
19. My team of Doctors & Therapists, I can't say it enough.  (Thank you Chad, Abe, Kathy & countless sweet nurses!)
20. Netflix, thank you for binge sessions until 5am. #insomnia
21. Angela, you answered prayers multiples times and probably will continue to for some time. You inspire me. 
22. Post-it notes, I love you but I hope we can break up sometime!

I'm sure there's so many more that I've forgotten, I'm sorry! #mushybrain

And now what?  Well, I'm going crazy on my bucket list.  I'll be working on my new (hopefully improved) golf swing this summer & learning to strum a guitar is good physical therapy.  This "old dog" will learn new tricks- you just watch!  I'm taking more time for myself & learning what it's like to be the "new Carissa."  

In the mean time, do me a favor...

Slow down.

Take the time to do things that are important to you.

Enjoy this life. 

Be thankful.

Yes, #2014TriedToKillMe but #2015WillBeAmazing... thanks to all of YOU!  <3

#HappyShamshaversary
 

NOTE: SOME IMAGES ARE GRAPHIC!