One more trip around the sun

Tomorrow I'll complete 45 trips around the sun. It's customary for people to congratulate you on your birthday as if you actually earned something. I've always found it strange when someone offers ME a hearty congratulations, when the person they should really applaud is my mom. She's the one who forced a watermelon out of her uterus. So mom, congratulations! Forty five years ago you made me possible. You deserve all the credit.

So, it's been a while since I tickled you with my ramblings. Where am I? Doing OK, actually. As always, I'm never satisfied with my progress, but slowly moving in the right direction. I'm still dealing with this constant pressure that increases in severity with prolonged sitting and standing. But I'm able to lightly sprint up steep hills during my hikes, and I'm easily knocking out 80-100 laps in the pool at a spirited pace. I've been occasionally 'riding' the stationary bike, and while it feels great to turn a crank (even if I'm not moving) sitting basically motionless while I pedal is difficult for more than 30 minutes. But I'll take what I can get right now.

For those who've read most of my posts, this thread of being unsatisfied pops up frequently. I don't mean to give the wrong impression. My standards of recovery are just a bit higher than some. Before surgery I was active on a level slightly above the average Joe. So my idea of 'getting back to normal' might seem optimistic to some, but it's MY idea of normal that makes it difficult to accept anything less. I'm capable of enjoying activities with much less discomfort now than I could two months ago, and I appreciate every gain. But until I'm on the bike chasing my friends through the woods I won't be completely satisfied.

With that said, other areas of my life are a bowl of cherries! The new job I started a few weeks ago is awesome. I've got the freedom to work from home, and the crew I'm working with are fun and easy to collaborate with. I love living in the Santa Cruz mountains! I've got an amazing group of friends here and meeting more people every day. I have an endless network of trails right outside my front door and each morning when I'm out searching for new trails I stop and soak in how happy I feel at this moment in my life.

I hope happiness finds you as well. And on your next birthday call your mom and say thanks. She earned it.

Peace!