How we celebrate the day I almost died every year

“Leah Lived Day” is August 14th. It’s the day I nearly died 6 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.

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.

Will you join me in sticking your toes in the grass?

(I think I will, even though I can’t feel it.)

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 a strawberry lemon Italian soda with whipped cream!)

Why write to someone?

I put two 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.

Writing is a self-care that is also “other-care.” It’s a retreat into an interior space and leaves a lasting legacy of your love. That time is never wasted.

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.

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Ironically , we used to think it was a good idea to launch a collection every year ON Leah Lived Day (August 14th).

But last year I finally thought, “This is crazy. I want to be present on Leah Lived Day as much as possible, and instead I’m tethered to my phone, checking on the website and posting updates on Instagram.”

This year we are launching our new collection on Friday, Aug 16 . On August 14th, I’m going to make myself a fancy drink, feel the sun on my skin, hug Ellie, and enjoy being present with my family.

This year I'll be with Grace in Milwaukee for it, which we are both really looking forward to. She was such a big part of surviving in the ICU that getting to be with her on this day will be super meaningful. I can't wait to have one (or several!) fancy drinks with her.

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. 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. Remember to mark your calendar for the Leah Lived Day Collection Launch! It will be Friday, August 16 @ Noon Central Time. 

These launches are always so fun to get to reveal a lot of energy and work that I've spent on the art and writing (we put a lot of time into the launch emails and even the product descriptions, to try and make them as interesting and worth your while as possible.) 

We will have a 15% launch day discount, and we don't want you to miss it!