True Gifts (post surgery #13 and #14, Christmas 2015)

Truth: This year I'm even less prepared for Christmas than I usually am. I haven't ordered holiday cards, or purchased a gift for my husband. Not that I'm too worried about it... Christmas has never been a big deal for Clifton and I from a material standpoint anyways, and this year our focus is once again shifted to just being together. As you all know, our lives took a sharp left hand turn a couple of weeks ago, when I ended up needing two shunt revision surgeries in less than a week, with some unexpected complications, and we are working our way through the beginning of what is proving to be a difficult recovery. 
What we are going to give ourselves for Christmas is an entire weekend "away" from my shunt and the worries that come along with it. We are going to spend time with our family and friends, and take time to appreciate the things that we have, and the time that we have together. 

In reflection, I have already received so many amazing (true) gifts this year, that could never be replaced. For these things I am eternally thankful, because these are the gifts that can't be bought: 

• In January of this year, I lost my ability to play music. My brain suffered a trauma response in which I couldn't hear myself play in real time. A couple months later, after a chance meeting with an old acquaintance, an amazing friendship grew, and that friend and his beautiful wife were instrumental in helping me find my music again, which was an amazing gift.
• Reciprocated trust and vulnerability in friendships has been a theme for my year... I have found that this is the truest form of the gift of  friendship; to allow another human to really know you and see you, and to know their heart as well. 
• In the spring, through golf, I was gifted some new friends that I know will be in my life forever. It's truly a blessing to meet other people who share your passions and enjoy the same activities. 
• Medically, I was gifted the opportunity to receive new paths of treatment, learn new things about my brain, and challenge myself mentally. Without specific sacrifices being made for me, this would not have happened. Our team was also open to ideas that Clifton and I brought to the table, which was an amazing gift. 
• In the midst of the chaos of multiple shunt failures, I was gifted the most incredible communication and support from my surgical team, making the insecurities of shunt failures, hospitalizations, four surgeries and recoveries much more bearable. 
• I was gifted another beautiful year with my sweet dog, Bella, who turned 13 this fall. She is truly one of the joys in our life. She believes that she can heal me with  her love, and she continues to try. 
• On our wedding anniversary this summer, we were gifted with the birth of our gorgeous niece, Jade McKenzie. We could not be more in love. 
• I'm blessed by the gift of being able to do what I love for a living, and to work for and with my family. The friendships and working relationships I have with my coworkers and sub-contractors brighten my days, and keep me pushing to be better at what I do. I am equally blessed by the incredible support of my husband's work family. 
• And every minute of every day, I am gifted with the security of the true relentless love my husband Clifton has shown me for the 14 years we have been together. There are no words to describe the knowledge that you are truly loved, unconditionally. 

For these gifts, I can not express the depth of my gratitude.
Merry Christmas to you all.  

Humbly, with much love, 

Am
​