5 years later

This post was written on March 6, 2013.  Because of information in this post I had to wait to publish it for awhile to keep my secret

Today marks 5 years since my infamous hand dolly accident.  5 YEARS!  In some ways, it seems like it never really happened (especially when my neck is having a good day), but the second I stop to think about it, the vivid images of that day make it feel like it was just yesterday.

I am so grateful it was me.  So grateful that I was the lucky one in a million who would walk by a Coke truck the exact same second a hand dolly decided to fall off.  Why?  Because I love pain?  Oh heavens no!  It's because I love where my life is now and I owe so much of it to this event in my life.  This accident changed my way of thinking and viewing my life.  From that moment on, I decided to live with no regrets, because who knew when the next hand dolly was going to come and attack me.  I realized it needed to stop being about what I thought I wanted and instead I needed to focus on what the Lord knew I needed.  It caused me to more seriously consider those quick and fleeting thoughts of a mission, to the point that a year later I put my papers in.  Because I went on a mission I became who I am today.  I learned more about myself in those 18 months than I had the 21 years prior.  I also learned more about my Heavenly Father and my Savior and for the first time in my life, developed close relationships with them and by learning  how to truly pray and worship them.  I learned how blessed I am to be born where I was to the family I have.  Because of my mission I received the promptings to go to BYU, where I received an amazing secular and spiritual education, and was able to find my true passion and major.  Because of my mission I also received the unexpected blessing of my husband, who I happened to have met in the MTC.  All because of a hand dolly....

I found the best way to celebrate today.  I went to a doctor's appointment and got to see my little baby raspberry for the first time and see it's little heartbeat on the ultrasound screen.  5 years ago today, here I am, married to an amazing man and 8 weeks pregnant.  

And it all started with a hand dolly.