A Milestone...
It has been an incredible year...and more specifically an incredible few months since surgery...everyday it seems that another milestone is reached and more and more of my dreams are realized. This week has been absolutely no exception to that...on Tuesday I confidently boarded my Air Canada flight to Florida and comfortably, I repeat COMFORTABLY sat in the seat without encroaching on the person next to me. I was even able to do up the seat belt and didn't have to humiliate myself by asking for a seat belt extension...I must admit that I almost cried. Walking on to the plane and not having to walk sideways to fit down the isle was amazing...I savoured the moment and took my time making my way to my seat. The entire flight was comfortable and I was able to use the food tray to enjoy my drink. I had enough room to put it down in front of me and it didn't even touch my belly!!! NOTHING was tight!!!
These are what seem to be very simple everyday happenings for most people but for me they are huge milestones...experiences that I had come to accept would never happen again in my life because my weight had defeated me completely...or so I thought. The journey just keeps getting better...
It was truly amazing to see the faces of my mom and dad when I came down the escalator after getting off the plane...I hadn't seen them in a few weeks, so needless to say, I had changed a bit!!! Their faces were both aglow with happiness to see the real Ally...the Ally they used to know come bounding toward them, uninhibited by my weight...walking confidently and happy toward them. They greeted me with huge smiles and even bigger hugs! It was amazing....they were so proud!
Yesterday was yet another amazing day...I went parasailing with my dad just like I had when I was 15 years old and much much lighter! I have wanted to do this for quite some time but again, my weight kept me from even beginning to consider it seriously. I decided though when I knew that I was coming to Florida for Christmas that I was definitely going to do this. So off we went and it was amazing. I was able to fit the life jacket no problem and the harness for the parasail slid on over my thighs and hips with no trouble at all!!!! As I lifted off the back of the boat, I began to cry...what an amazing feeling of freedom to be able to do this and to feel myself be lifted from the boat and carried off into the sky by a parachute!!! I was soaring high up and reached a height of 1200 feet...it was wonderful...I could not help but think how truly blessed I have been over the past few months to have been given this amazing gift of new life...to be granted the opportunity to have this surgery and to "live" again. God is so wonderful and again exceeds my wildest dreams by bringing people and opportunities across the path of my life to aid in bringing me to this point in my personal journey.
Today as I write this I am full to the brim. I couldn't be happier and even now as I write, my face is streaming with tears of joy and sheer happiness. Life has been one rocky journey for about 10 years...but today I feel the full scope of redemption and I am living each moment in the bounty of God's grace. I am not sure that I could even begin to articulate the feeling and emotion inside me at this very moment. It is truly amazing and I am so very grateful...grateful for my journey, and yes, even the painful parts...because without them I would never be able to enjoy this very moment...without them I would not be the me I am right now...without them I would not be at this very place at this very time today...I am content today and happy to be on this very journey...my journey...my very own Ally-journey...
It has been an incredible year...and more specifically an incredible few months since surgery...everyday it seems that another milestone is reached and more and more of my dreams are realized. This week has been absolutely no exception to that...on Tuesday I confidently boarded my Air Canada flight to Florida and comfortably, I repeat COMFORTABLY sat in the seat without encroaching on the person next to me. I was even able to do up the seat belt and didn't have to humiliate myself by asking for a seat belt extension...I must admit that I almost cried. Walking on to the plane and not having to walk sideways to fit down the isle was amazing...I savoured the moment and took my time making my way to my seat. The entire flight was comfortable and I was able to use the food tray to enjoy my drink. I had enough room to put it down in front of me and it didn't even touch my belly!!! NOTHING was tight!!!
These are what seem to be very simple everyday happenings for most people but for me they are huge milestones...experiences that I had come to accept would never happen again in my life because my weight had defeated me completely...or so I thought. The journey just keeps getting better...
It was truly amazing to see the faces of my mom and dad when I came down the escalator after getting off the plane...I hadn't seen them in a few weeks, so needless to say, I had changed a bit!!! Their faces were both aglow with happiness to see the real Ally...the Ally they used to know come bounding toward them, uninhibited by my weight...walking confidently and happy toward them. They greeted me with huge smiles and even bigger hugs! It was amazing....they were so proud!
Yesterday was yet another amazing day...I went parasailing with my dad just like I had when I was 15 years old and much much lighter! I have wanted to do this for quite some time but again, my weight kept me from even beginning to consider it seriously. I decided though when I knew that I was coming to Florida for Christmas that I was definitely going to do this. So off we went and it was amazing. I was able to fit the life jacket no problem and the harness for the parasail slid on over my thighs and hips with no trouble at all!!!! As I lifted off the back of the boat, I began to cry...what an amazing feeling of freedom to be able to do this and to feel myself be lifted from the boat and carried off into the sky by a parachute!!! I was soaring high up and reached a height of 1200 feet...it was wonderful...I could not help but think how truly blessed I have been over the past few months to have been given this amazing gift of new life...to be granted the opportunity to have this surgery and to "live" again. God is so wonderful and again exceeds my wildest dreams by bringing people and opportunities across the path of my life to aid in bringing me to this point in my personal journey.
Today as I write this I am full to the brim. I couldn't be happier and even now as I write, my face is streaming with tears of joy and sheer happiness. Life has been one rocky journey for about 10 years...but today I feel the full scope of redemption and I am living each moment in the bounty of God's grace. I am not sure that I could even begin to articulate the feeling and emotion inside me at this very moment. It is truly amazing and I am so very grateful...grateful for my journey, and yes, even the painful parts...because without them I would never be able to enjoy this very moment...without them I would not be the me I am right now...without them I would not be at this very place at this very time today...I am content today and happy to be on this very journey...my journey...my very own Ally-journey...
I'm so happy for you Ally! :) Continue to enjoy this wonderful journey you're on and this time of celebration at Christmas!!
ReplyDeleteBlessings and God's best for 2010!