Today is our family’s 18th rebirthday. It is the day Veronica and I came very close to losing our lives in a horrific car accident.
So, I usually read while I drink my coffee in the morning as I am often up before the rest of my family. Not today. I can’t concentrate on the story. I have been thinking deeply….
I know we survived, and for that I am grateful beyond measure. With that, I needed to take a moment to recognize what our family has been through and cry a little.
I messaged a friend I am hardly in touch with anymore. I thanked her for the part she played in my care during my first night in the hospital. I thanked her for wiping the mascara that was running down my face with the million tears I shed. I was terrified and in so much pain. She fed me red popsicles and sang, “My Girl” with me to help distract me from the pain of the 6 breaks in my pelvis and the horrific headache I was battling between each pump of morphine that I kept insisting I needed more of. She was there for me during the most traumatic moments of my life when Greg needed to be with Veronica in the ICU. He wanted to be with both of us, but Veronica’s condition was much more urgent. Today I can see we were even experiencing blessings through our very hard times. I have seen our blessings from the very beginning.
I received a message from a family member telling me he was thinking of Veronica and me. I am so appreciative to be thought of and at the same time feeling bad that Greg and Kylie are often overlooked. You really can’t assume someone knows you are thinking of them unless you tell them.
When something so traumatic happens to someone, or two, in our case, in a family, the whole family is affected. Kylie and Greg have survived through this ongoing trauma, too. They are, after all, the ones who have taken care of us for the past 18 years.
For many years after our car accident and brain injuries we were afraid to go out on Feb. 13th, nine if I remember right. I still have memory issues and can’t be sure. We stayed home from work and school and celebrated each other at home. We played games, watched movies, and spent special time together. As more years passed, feeling good about the date we lived was sprinkled with a few years here and there with sadness and fear. After that, a year or two that I forgot it was our date and chalked that up to good healing. Now we spend the date putt putt golfing, going to the movies, or bowling. Kylie has moved to another state but still acknowledges our lives and her gratefulness. I am sad we can’t all be together, but I am so happy she has found her place with her own family.
We putt putt golfed today in 51-degree weather and I wore a hat and gloves. It was cold, fun, and I did terrible. But it was good for some laughs and enjoyable family time.
Anyone that knows me knows that I am quite a positive person. Now I will share something Veronica shared with me.
Neuroscience tells us that we can actively change our state of mind by looking for the small wins in our day
By counting all the small wins, you subtly shift your mind into an upward spiral, which opens your mind up to opportunity and gratitude, which ultimately rewires the brain for more joy.
The more you focus on the good in your life, the more your brain starts to see it.
That is the beauty of neuroplasticity.
By Nicolesneuroscience
Dawn Corbelli 