If I had to summarize my experience in 2021, it would be both humbling and healing. I was humbled in ways I have never been before. Post reconstructive surgery, I needed help to drive, to get to appointments, to shower, to wash my clothes, and to remember what day it was. I am fiercely independent…
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About Kelly
Merit Badges
2021 was not my best year ever. But I ended it better than it started… and slowly my playfulness is returning. I decided that if life was going to be this challenging and require this much work, I should at least have something to show for it. So I started earning Adulthood Merit Badges. I…
Bittersweet
Lately life has seemed to be a complex jumble of emotions. I rarely feel pure joy or pure sadness or pure anger, but rather a mix of different expressions of each all at once. I’ve loved the move Inside Out since it was released. Maybe you’ve seen it. It envisions a “headquarters” in the brain…
Game-ifying Adulthood
Yes, I made up a new word. No, I’m not sorry. Yes, it is required for this situation. Yes, you can use it too! Adulthood has been remarkably hard the past few years, for me, and likely for many of you as well. I have felt the relentless waves of stress, trauma, loneliness, and fatigue…
Mental Health Mishaps
I’m fighting for joy, but life has felt very heavy. I am struggling. This year has dealt me hard challenges back to back to back. I have fought my very hardest to maintain my physical balance, strength, endurance, and coordination through therapy and exercises. And I’ve had to do the same with my mental health……
The Comeback Tour
Kenny* and I have been venturing out little by little. We have to plan ahead, pack a bag of supplies, and ensure we have time to mosey instead of sprint. But we’re doing it. Together. Kenny is hesitant, cautious, persnickety, and demanding. I am adventurous, playful, and courageous. We’re working on our relationship. It has…
One Year Later
One year ago today, my life changed because of one step. Or actually, one missed step. One year ago today I moved into my new home, fell on the stairs, broke my foot, and have been in a waiting game or recovery state ever since. Fracture boots, x rays, doctor visits, MRIs, surgery, non-weight bearing,…
Present Tense
Verbs. They’re the most important part of a sentence. They communicate action and movement. They demonstrate time and progress. They matter. And I’ve been editing myself a lot lately. I found that in my post-surgery, bionic-foot, limping and sore state that I was unconsciously shifting all my verbs to past tense. I used to run.…
Homeowner Hazing
I went into this endeavor called home ownership thinking that I would have a restful haven that would occasionally give me grief, but predominantly would be welcoming, homey, and predictable. It could not have been further from the truth. Instead I have experienced homeowner hazing of the worst kind. I have replaced or repaired more…
Meet Kenny
I have someone to introduce you to. He’s been in my life a while now and some people have known about him, but I’m ready to introduce him to the world. Meet Kenny. Kenny is the name I’ve given to my personified surgically-repaired, bionically-elevated, titanium-indwelling, left foot. He’s been through a lot over the past…