Get me some ice, please.

It's hard not to be grateful these days.

That doesn't mean I don't complain sometimes, because I totally do. But life is a precious gift, and God is merciful. He believes in second chances and strengthening the weak. (I'm sure you're just about sick of hearing "surgery this" and "scar that" and "bad foot....can't do it because of my swollen ankle" something-or-other. The only reason I can give for this is that it's my life right now. It may not be what I want or expect, but it's real.)

I'm grateful I have been given the opportunity to dance again. Four and a half months of sedentary life helped me see that I cannot live without dance as a part of my life. It's who I am! It helps me form opinions and make truth and sense out of this world. I love moving my body to the rhythm and engulfing my entire being into an emotion or purpose. I just have to make it to age 80, and then I can stop.

I am grateful for my siblings. 9 kids in a family is unlike anything you will ever experience, some ways more so than others. The great thing is, despite our weird eating habits and interests and differences, we still love each other. Also, our barbecues are the bomb, just saying.

I am grateful for pain. This one applies inevitably to me. I have had many aches and pains and physical injuries as well as a few emotional ones over the years. Pain is humbling. It reminds me that I am not invincible and have to fulfill my body's personal needs. Plus, if you never taste the bitter, how are you supposed to savor the sweet? That is exactly what happened with me. I wouldn't say I was taking my love of dance for granted prior to surgery, but this injury kept me away long enough to help me see for myself why I need dance in my life. Although the pain I had when I was injured and the pain I experience now are completely different (still excruciating, but different), both prove that I am a fighter, and I am determined to return even stronger than I was before.

I am thankful for "flirtationships."

I'm grateful for Shaunna and funny cast members who secretly intimidate the heck out of me. I am also grateful for the Young Kangaroo and Jojo's little brother for keeping everyone youthful and filled with joy through this whole process. (Three weeks until we open. Yikes!)

I am even grateful for elephantitis. I also don't expect you to understand the joke this statement poses. Elephantitis is actually a horrible thing that I didn't even think was real until last week. But right now I'm grateful for jokes about it because it keeps my mind away from being depressed and angry at my current situation.

I'm grateful for good people who have good intentions and expect nothing in return.

I'm grateful for parents who care about my well being and love me despite my faults. They uplift me when no one else can/will. I love it the most when they try to dance like me :)

I'm grateful for work parties and cute stamps and having places to call home. I say "places" because there are plural spaces that welcome me, come what-ever.

I'm grateful for memories. Memories help us cope when the dance room of the high school is no longer, if you will. They help us move forward in a seemingly fearless fashion, even if we're terrified on the inside.

Grateful to be alive and (almost) well.

With 15 days left to be 18, what is a girl like me to do?