One Year Anniversary!!!

It is true. This long journey officially started one year ago today. When I walked in to a hospital in Dallas with my mom and a hope that I would get to walk maybe even jog again.... I was a little younger, a little more lost, a little less single, less thankful and a lot less stronger. Stronger in God, stronger as a student, stronger with friendships and oh yeah... STRONGER body than I ever thought would happen again. This wasn't an easy journey and it wasn't one I necessarily want to go through again but I would never take it back. This is what I posted on facebook about today:

"If you don't know how to act, act thankful. Think about it, you get another day to live how ever you want knowing that it is exactly where you are supposed to be. One year ago, September 28th, 2011, I had a crazy, out of this world experimental surgery and was given the ability to run again. I have literally had the hardest, best, most heart-breaking and all-around most blessed year of my life thu

s far. I worked hard for every step I have taken (literally). Between learning to walk, run, getting the job at AE and then ESPN and being a nanny God had provided me with the best experiences, people, family and future... all because I ruined my leg on a field in the middle of Iowa two years ago. There are no accidents and what a huge blessing that is!!!"

None of this would have ever happened with out my family, friends, army of doctors and most importantly God. So I think that I need to name a few of the people that made me who I am today and what I have become through this surgery. 

Of course these three, they are so important. This picture is from today.

1. Mom, you are my best friend and the only person that knows all my secrets yet still cheers me on at every leg and every obstacle meet. I love you and respect you more everyday. You are my role model. 
2. Family. You all are incredible. You have given me so much support and love. I am know I needed to be in a family this big because I needed you all to teach me so much. Dad, Lorra, Becky, Shannon, David, and Smalls. You have been my support from afar but you love was anything but distant. You all are the reason that I will never have wavering faith. There is no way that so much awesome happened in one family on accident. Dan, this includes you too as an honorary O'Keefe
           2.(B) Dan Patrick. The guy in my life you could not mean more to me if he tried. Your unfading support and love for me is something I am so blessed to have. I hope when I meet who I marry someday he is half as selfless as you are. You remind me everyday to push further and expect more from both myself and others. You are the mini cherry, Best bro in the world. 
3.Kelli you taught me how to be tough and push through the sucky stuff so that I could meet the good. Literally running along side of me when I needed it. You are awesome.
4.Mollie, Smalls, you were there the night of my surgery and the day of my half marathon. I am in awe of your unconditionally love. Thanks for being there every single time. Yes, even emotional calls at 3 in the morning because some jerk hurt my feelings. 
My doctors, Both Muller and Dustin. If I could I would give them every dime I make for the rest of my life and it still wouldn't be enough to repay them.
5. Carolyn you support me and are never shot of compliments. Best girl in the world! quote me on it =]
6. Sadie, my twin, my person and the girl that knew I needed flowers the day I got home to make me feel better. No one gets me better.
7. Christine. My blonde beautiful friend, it is wonderful to know someone is as nuts as me ;)
8. Kassie- Girly I can't believe you came into my life when you did because you are the kind of person I feel like I have known forever. What an absolute blessing you have been in every way!
9. G, you taught me discipline and how to take my "always injured" body and run with it (literally). 
10. All of my teammates and all of my friends. Never has someone experienced so much love as I have every day. This journey is something each of you took with me and when the road got rough you all push me out of the valleys and up the hills.

The list above is a list of miraculous people that God put in my life because although he is technically all I need, he wanted me to survive down here for a while. Lord knew that I needed A LOT of support and love to just function. 

To anyone that goes through an injury I am going to give you my secret for coming out better. 
1. Pray all the time, everywhere, everyday, until it hurts. No excuses, because God gives you nothing more than you can handle. Isn't it cool that God has more faith in you that you even do. Blows my mind when ever I get something I don't think I can handle because obviously God knows I can. 
2. Read (my suggestions are anything sports related especially if Tony Dungy and Tim Tebow are the narrators). 
3. Love people, including the ones that either put you in the situation or stunted your recovery *Midwestern doctors and lousy little boys cough cough. But love them anyways, pray for them  but also remember....Nothing feels better than surpassing their expectations and proving them wrong ;) What can I say, I like to win.