That feeling.

You know that feeling you have the day after getting over a debilitating cold where you wake up, realize you can breathe through your nose, your throat doesn't feel like you've swallowed broken glass and you can move without it triggering a hacking cough? You feel like you could conquer the world. SO EXCITED to be feeling healthy again and thankful for the people who offered to help while you were feeling like crap.

That feeling usually lasts, what...a day? Maybe two?

It has been five months since my surgery.
22.14 weeks.
155 days.

And every day when I wake up I still have that carpe diem, blessed beyond belief feeling when I step out of bed and can walk without my crutches.

A pilot deadheading his way back to Salt Lake City was sitting next to me on a recent flight and told me that it has been 7 years since he had surgery on his shoulder and he still has that feeling of awe when his arm works the way it should. I'm hoping it sticks around that long for me. And longer.

I'm still in physical therapy and my foot still gets swollen and sore after walking too much but I still get so excited to be able to walk that I hardly even care. It has been a long year, especially this second half, but I had amazing people to help me through it and I really feel like the luckiest girl around. It's all about perspective and in 2010 I've received that in spades.

Happy New Years Eve (day)! Take a moment to count your blessings and I hope you have many more in the coming year.