Bonus Days

Today is my 6,138th Bonus Day. The six thousand, one hundred, and thirty eight day I could have missed.

In the days following my accident, every day mattered. Each one carried me a little further away from that terrible day and a little closer to the life I hoped to return to. Another day of healing. Another day of recovery. Another step toward normal. Another day of Hope & Courage.

And somewhere along the way, I reached a turning point. The point where I could grieve the past and also celebrate the future. It didn’t come all at once, but rather in bite-sized chunks.

3 years post accident finishing my MBA.

Celebrating 5 years + 1 month at Ironman Coeur d’Alene.

7.5 years later marrying Alex.

Bringing in the 10 year mark riding mountain bikes with Alex and Park City friends in St. George. New sport, new state, new friends, new adventures to be had.

Along the way came countless triathlons, marathons, and 50k’s.

New friends, new sports, new life wisdom gained at every mile.

And a career working for the dreamiest of companies - Peet’s Coffee & Tea, Patagonia, and Black Diamond Equipment. Ski instructing for the National Ability Center. And now, leading an incredible team at ExtraSpace Storage.

And so many magical moments in between.

These are all Bonus Days. Days I am so lucky and so grateful to have.

But Bonus Days aren’t just about the big milestones. They are also about all the things in between.

Runs with Ripley.

Alex grilling salmon.

Laughs with my mom and sisters + memories of my Dad.

Watching Helen, Will, and Clara grow into their own (giant) personalities!

Workouts and coffee with friends.

Leading a team at work.

Helping people realize how strong they are in a yoga class.

There is magic in the mundane.   

So on this 6,138th day – where I got to workout + have brunch with friends for Jene’s birthday and am headed out into this sunny but cold afternoon with Ripley – I’m reminded what a gift today is.

What a bonus day.