Dr. Jack’s best gift to me? Life!! My life!!

   What’s the best gift Dr. Jack has given me??  A picture says a thousand words, right??  He gave me back my life!!

I took my class trip yesterday.  It was a day long trip to Hershey Park.  Now if you have never been to Hershey, the amusement park is actually pretty hilly. And as years have passed taking classes on trips have been harder and harder on me.  My weight and Hashimoto symptoms played a huge role in that.   Getting ready took a long time because I was always tired.  Then the trip itself would be so taxing.  I had a hard time moving, everything hurt, both from the muscle aches and my back surgery.  I spent the day planning on places where I met the kids.  I would need to plan an hour to get to that place because I would need to sit.  Frequent sit breaks were needed. Most people don’t know that because I hid that all away.

There is a photo of a larger man in Dr. Jack’s presentation that he frequently uses.  It’s a man sitting at an amusement park.  He is not riding anything.  I know that man, not personally, but in mind I know him!  He was me….. The one holding the bags while others rode.  Too afraid to get on anything for fear you won’t fit or because you would be turned away.  So you watch life but you don’t participate. I hated even walking with other people for fear of being able to keep up.

I admit yesterday came as a shock.  In my head, I still see and feel the before emotions. My head still sees the before person.  I think it is just taking time to heal that.  So I guess I was totally unprepared for what happened.  I know I was unprepared.

Hershey was as hilly as I remembered, but I was able to walk it without any exertion at all.  I didn’t have to stop to catch my breath.  I could keep up with the getting the kids to the gate. I could keep up with the chaperones.  We walked the whole park and I never had to sit down even once to take a break.  As a matter of fact, the only time I did have to sit was when we ate.

And then it happened.  One of the chaperones wanted to ride the monorail.  Seemed harmless but the way in was a big set of stairs, I walked up, no stopping and saw the turnstile to get on.  I immediately did it…. Moved sideways, pulled up my tummy as much as possible, and prepared to squish through as best as I could.  But then I realized it, I had managed to get through that way easily.  What!?  How was that possible.

Then we got in line for another tame ride and I thought, I would try just walking through without the movements.  And I got through!! Going straight on with room to spare.  So then we got in line for it! One of the roller coasters!!  I got on, and thought I wouldn’t fit, but the seat and safety bar fit perfect! I had not been on a roller coaster in twenty some odd years.  I know because I remember the last time very clearly.  I had gone to Darien Lake with the basketball team.  The Predator was brand new ride, and we all rode it.  The kids bought me a button that said I had survived the predator.  Never rode again.  Couldn’t….the weight became too great, the bones hurt too much, the muscles too sore….

That  ride was amazing and as fun as I remembered them to be!!  I wanted it to keep going! I wanted to find another and keep going!  I would have done more but when you are the teacher, you have to take care of business too.  But it was a taste, and it was all good.

I kept sending Dr. Jack texts,  I am sure I drove him crazy,but I was so excited!  He was happy for me that I was enjoying life! And then reality really hit….. Yeah that’s what this is! I am enjoying life. Not from the sidelines…but by being a full fledged card carrying member with exclusive benefits! Of all the great things Dr. Jack has given back to me, this is the best…. He handed me back LIFE!!   And then he promised me something…. “it’s just going to keep getting better!”

Got up today expecting to be sore and exhausted.  Nope!  Thinking about getting things in order, picking up groceries and heading to the YMCA for a walk and some pool time.

Dr. Jack?? How will I ever find the right words to thank you? SERIOUSLY.  I can never ever thank you for everything you have done. Thank you for yesterday.  Forever it will feel like it’s the day you gave me the best gift ever!  This team has come a long way, but the best is still to come!