Some material has presented it’s self to me, in a unfortunate and scary way. I have always been thankful for my life, with very few regrets. I have been blessed 6 fold, with the opportunities that have bestowed me. With lots of friends, which I still have and love very much, school, college, traveling and ALWAYS having a home to come back to.
November the 12, 3:30 a.m…. Discomfort in my chest that scared me so bad, and it scared Robbie really bad! He called 911. Very good thing we did, because when it was all said and done, the doctor told us that another 10 minutes and it could have gone either way. That has really, really stuck with me.
I have talked to a lot of people that have had heart surgeries and they tell me I will most likely go through a depression. But I have told myself I am not going to do that! I wanted to continue to be thankful that I am alive. Live each day as though it was your last, just like the saying goes. However, with my disability, I don’t get to do all the things that I used to… But that doesn’t mean that I don’t thank God every morning for waking me up and giving me a brand new day to start new.
Someone posted on my FB that I wasn’t done here on earth, God has bigger plans for you. So now I’m excited to have a journey to explore, it’s going to take a little doing, a lot of contemplating.. and some exploring… But I’m ready for the challenge. I had on the very first day about 12 visitors, mostly family and a few friends. They were all around my bed, holding my hand, encouring me and telling me they loved me. About the same on Friday good friends and of course my mama!
I had a lady come into my room in ICU, she said I am so sorry to bother you, but I work here and I noticed your name on the patient list. She said I read your article all the time and I wanted to meet you face to face. Well of course I busted into tears and said, “You wanted to meet ME??” Ha… It was very sweet and something I will NEVER forget! That’s when things started to really, really begin to make me so humble. As I read all your posts, comments, texts, phone calls and visits here at the house… I have never been so humbled. I thought I had a lot of friends and was hopeful that they all loved me… I have no doubt now.
What I really wish is that I could hug each and everyone of you that have sent me prayers and well wishes. Please know that I don’t take life for granted or even a day. We all think, it won’t happen to me, it can’t happen to me, and we do, we all kinda think that way. Well, it might, it can and in my case, it DID! I don’t want to get too dramatic, ha.. probably already have, but this article had to be written, had to be…. Because I didn’t want my last article to be my last article.
It’s only 3 days before Thanksgiving, even though this will come out in December, but still… I am SO thankful for friends far away, friends almost next door and friends that have bent over backwards to help me, Robbie and Sophie. And as I posted on my FB page, I pray that God blesses each and everyone of you everyday of your lives. And from the bottom of my healing heart, I love you all!! And if there is anything I can ever do for any of you… Please let me know, whether it be a prayer or a hug… I thank you, I love you, and I really hope to see all of you very soon !! And until next time…
Hug yourselves!!
Mandy Snell is a freelance writer who enjoys writing about growing up in Snellville and its history. Have any Growing up in Snellville stories to share? Comment below!
