“Leah Lived Day” is August 14th. It’s the day I nearly died 7 years ago in a construction accident. (And when I say nearly, I mean that I was lucky to live…past the initial impact, past the first ten minutes, the first few days, the first couple months, the past few years. It’s all been the most amazing gift.)
For us it’s always been a day of giving gratitude. It’s a day to awaken to the miracle of being alive. And we invite you to celebrate being alive today too!
It’s a day to go outside and stick your toes in the grass, get yourself a fancy drink, and write to some people you love (and maybe light a candle...)
Why toes in the grass?
I’m so grateful that I have specific memories of enjoying the sensation of grass on my feet the summer of my accident and connecting to my legs and core with trail running and dancing.
These days I touch flowers, go for a walk, and appreciate the way the light comes through leaves. But being present with nature is super important for me.
Why a fancy drink?
When I woke up in the ICU I couldn’t swallow. I was intubated over and over, going in and out of surgeries. Eating and drinking were difficult for months after the accident. The gift of being able to swallow is one that almost everyone takes for granted. I realized that it’s one of life’s greatest pleasures, to sip a drink you love.
Will you treat yourself to a fancy drink with me?
(I’m planning on some sort of fancy coffee drink.)
Why write to someone?
I put three letters in the mail the day before I almost died. (Which is amazing because I’m notoriously bad at getting cards into the mailbox. 😂) If I had died, those would have been very special letters to those friends.
Also, people wrote to me in the ICU. Those letters gave me so much hope and courage to keep going.
Knowing that a card/letter might outlast you, who is most important to write to today?
This year I'm incorporating one more tradition for myself:
Lighting a candle and letting myself grieve.
In the past few years, Leah Lived Day has also been a day of grieving for me. My body is constantly uncomfortable. It's hugely mentally taxing.
Giving myself some space to hold the grief too I think is really important.
If you need a little space to grieve, whatever that loss might be, I hope you let yourself have a little time too.
//
Give Gratitude for the people you do life with:
Leah Lived Day is a day to refocus on the gifts in your life. A day to be as present as possible. Put your phone down and spend time out in nature and with the people you love.
I’m excited to celebrate Leah Lived Day with you too! In previous years we've said "post on social media about it!" But now we say, forget social media.
Instead, write a card and let someone know you love them. Stick your toes in the grass and have a fancy drink. Maybe light a candle and let yourself some time to grieve. Give thanks for the sunshine and the people you love.
Thank you for being here. The fact that I get to use my “bonus life” doing Tiny and Snail is something I am amazingly grateful for. You make the trouble of living with a spinal cord injury so very worth it. So thank you. ❤️
P.S. I'd love to hear what fancy drink you'll be celebrating with!
21 comments
Awhile back I purchased an order; well the day I received them was last Friday
Thank you for sharing your journey. Definitely love your cards!! I’m retired now so enjoy cooking as I now have the time. My career was in the social work field working with people with development & intellectual disabilities. My last job for 3 years was in a group home with adults with mental health conditions.(Aug 8) but late. So before that I overreacted with my fiance, then went into the kitchen to make a new recipe called watermelon mousse. Before I knew it he is leaving angry for the first time in almost 6 years and stated he doesn’t know where he’s going. Ok. I made the mousse, pulled weeds, had my dog outside with me & checked the mail 3×. The dog and I were outside as I just finished pulling weeds where I planted gladiolas (a favorite of my parents) when he pulled up. We sat there soaking up the sun when the mail lady started walking to the front door with 2 packages in her hands. I hurriedly called after her with the dog leash in one hand and dragging my garden chair in the other. Long story short it made my day. PS my fiance later admitted he was angry and we discussed the incident. BTW he asked about the 2 packages last night. I am so proud I kept my calm that day for the most part. I did cry of course but I also prayed.
Behavior can be so fascinating in all of us. My fiance is also retired; his career was in social media/sound system. My dog Stella turns 13 this month is a black Chispaniel. She is family; she was a New Years gift to myself in 2015. We also had 2 other dogs Bozley & Molly who have passed. Bozley was a cranky 16 1/2 fat daschund passing 4 years ago while Molly was a terrier poodle mix passing 2 years ago. Molly was a rescue dog from SD. They both are missed by my fiance (and me) as he had them before. Molly I believe was 10 or 11 when she passed but hated going outside when it was raining as her toes would get wet. The last picture taken of Molly was her looking at the water down in Port Aransas, TX. Say an idea for you sisters is to incorporate more dogs in your cards. Any animal really. Well I’ve shared enough; my hot tea is almost cold and my mug says “I love dogs” with paw prints and hearts.
🐾❤️
Thank you for sharing, Leah. Making space for grief is so important and such a good reminder for all of us. I’ll be drinking a Cafe Borgia from a local coffee shop and writing some notes to family members I’ve been meaning to connect to for a few months.
I so glad I found you and your art, it speaks to me in so many ways. Because of this I’m also glad you live! I love that you share your story, as painful as it must be. It is so important that others know there is light and love in the darkest times. I’ll celebrate the day with a fancy blueberry mint lemonade (since it’s been so hot in VT lately)!
I so glad I found you and your art, it speaks to me in so many ways. Because of this I’m also glad you live! I love that you share your story, as painful as it must be. It is so important that others know there is light and love in the darkest times. I’ll celebrate the day with a fancy blueberry mint lemonade (since it’s been so hot in VT lately)!
Leah, I’m glad you lived. I love your new art and plan to buy a number of them. July 28,2024 was the day that I found out that I was in remission for leukemia. A journey to remission that took 20 years. As I navigate my life post treatment I am grateful. It isn’t easy. I’m still weak. I still have much on my plate. My immune system is also weak and I get sick regularly.
The joy of surviving helps every day. So do your lovely card. I’m not always good with my words of gratitude, so I lean on you for the words.
Thank you for living, even though it is hard. You..and Grace and your team make my life so much brighter!
Hmmmm maybe I should send you a card… much love Dana