Happy birthday and a year of memories

What a difference a year makes! With Justin’s birthday being this week, it made me think back over the past year. It’s been a very eventful year, that’s for sure. Some ups and downs, but I’d have to say that there were a lot more ups and downs. The first 6-8 weeks after his injury were the worst, and by his birthday last year, things had started getting better. He had some setbacks, but he never let them keep him down. Shortly before his birthday last year, he went on his first Project Healing Waters fishing trip. Since then he has been on 6 or 7 more trips with this wonderful organization. We went to the National Zoo a couple times. Justin learned how to drive using hand controls. Justin got to go deer hunting on the Eastern shore of Maryland and shot a nice buck in Texas. He’s hunted hogs in Texas, Georgia, and Florida…and I even shot a hog in Texas. He got a couple all-terrain type wheelchairs for hunting and other outdoor activities. We were able to buy Justin’s dream truck (with the help of a couple grants) and get it adapted with hand controls and a wheelchair crane so that he could have more freedom to go and do things without needing me or someone else to help him. We took Corey to Disney for the first time. Justin starting shooting a compound bow again – both from his wheelchair and standing. He learned how to walk again. He went skiing in a special seated mono-ski, and Corey skied for the first time. Justin’s been able to get back into golfing. He’s not only walked a mile, but he’s walked/jogged a mile with a 45 pound ruck on his back. He was able to do PT with his guys at Ft. Stewart. We’ve had Nerf wars with our neighbors from across the hall. He’s gotten to meet actors, singers, sports figures, politicians, and even President Obama. Justin has probably given quite a few kids nightmares with the stories he comes up with as to what happened to his legs (running with scissors, monsters ate them, they’re gone because he didn’t listen to his parents, a shark ate them, etc). We’ve gotten visits from our former youth pastor, friends, and family members. We’ve made quite a few drives down to Georgia and Florida. We’ve made so many new friends that I can’t even begin to count. We got to be present for the homecoming ceremony for most of Justin’s guys. I’m so thankful for all that they did to get Justin down off the mountain alive. I’m so glad that we were at the ceremony both for Justin and for them. It was wonderful. We’ve been the recipient of so much generosity and kindness in so many different ways. Justin saw his favorite college football team win the national championship (much to my dismay since they’re my team’s in-state rivals). Justin made it into the hometown newspaper multiple times. After several months of his legs changing and having to get new sockets nearly every week, his legs have finally stabilized enough to be in carbon fiber sockets (which he’s been in for about a month with no problems or changes needed). We became first-time home owners after our hometown renovated and gave us a house. His leg was used to hit a piñata at his cousin’s birthday party. He’s climbed the rock wall (he tried a year ago before he got prosthetics and it didn’t go so well). He’s gotten back into weight lifting and working out in the gym outside of his PT. And just today, Justin got his running legs and ran for the first time post-injury!

Yes, there have been multiple setbacks and additional surgeries, but the list of negatives is a whole lot smaller than all the great memories we’ve had over the past year. Over the past year, Justin has set many short-term goals and has achieved almost all of them already. He’s checked things off of his “bucket list” (like hunting in Texas). We’ve gotten through the past year with a lot of prayer, some tears, a lot of laughs, and a lot of love from friends and family. Justin may tick me off and bring out the worst in me at times, but he also makes me laugh like nobody else can and he brings out the best in me. I wouldn’t trade him for the world and I’m so thankful that we’re going through this journey together. He is an amazing man and I am so proud of everything he’s accomplished over the past year (and years before that, but this year especially). Happy birthday, Justin! I hope we make another long list of good memories over the next year and years to come!

first attempt at rock climbing post-injury

rock climbing one year later

hunting in Sharptown, MD

Thanksgiving with family

walking on two legs!

the new "man cave"

running legs!

homecoming ceremony for Justin's guys

hunting in Texas

 

ribbon cutting for our new house