One very important aspect of motivation is the willingness to stop and to look at things that no one else has bothered to look at. This simple process of focusing on things that are normally taken for granted is a powerful source of creativity .Edward de Bono

I have for the past several days taken and worked at my exercises. I am progressing slowly, but some of those things were things that I never thought about when doing them. One of those things is putting on long legged pants. Since I cannot bend I have to use a tool called a “reacher”. I have conquered that task and I was elated when I did it correctly on the first try.

Yesterday, I made a small step towards being able to go outside. I was able to walk down my ramp to the first landing, then making it back to my living room. I realize that this seems trivial until you have to teach yourself how to do something using a new technique. Each day has caused me to know how I took things for granted when I had two good operating hips.

For instance, I have been shown what a true friend is. I met my best friend in the latter part of the nineties. It was a basic friendship, basically cordial and someone to visit. My friendship with my best friend has grown into more like a family. His mother used to tell people, “he’s my son of another mother” when speaking about me. He is more than just a friend now for I consider him to be the big brother I never had.

During this whole journey with my hip he has went far and beyond. He has been cooking meals for me and while I was in the hospital he watched my house. He walked through the pre-op along with me which was about six hours. I tell him many times a day how much I appreciate all that he has done.

I have realized that even the little things deserve our gratitude. Even while in the hospital I always told the nurses how much I admire and am thankful for all the work they do for their patients.

So dear reader, I wonder what little things you are thankful for. Is there something that you have come to the conclusion that you have taken it for granted?