Like many of you…I ate entirely too much on Thanksgiving. In fact, I could not wait to go to sleep just so that I could sleep off the belly ache. That is, indeed, a sin. But Lord it was like fireworks in my mouth. I just couldn’t stop myself. I paid for my sin though…dearly!
I always try to be thankful in my daily life because as difficult as times have a tendency to get there is always something that you can find to be grateful for. I found myself counting far more blessings this year. Even as I laid in a hospital bed being pumped full of antibiotic and pain medicine…which by the way was not caused by my gluttony…I was thankful. At least I was going to get better and be able to return home to my family. I thought of many things as I read my room announcement board…Today is November 28, 2009. Your nurse is Susan. Your techs are Corey and Brent. Susan had turned on my bedside TV. Barber Shop was on. That is a funny movie! It made me laugh in between needle pokes.
One of the most significant subjects that raced through my mind as I watched my antibiotic drip…drip…drip…was my business and how it differs at the close of this year verses the close of last year. I was grateful then and I am continuously grateful now. But there has been a shift. A shift in my work. A shift in the response to my work. The clients who are now booking sessions months in advance to ensure “their spot.” The Brides who tell me that they have been following my Blog for countless months and now it is their turn and they choose me. The fact that my 2009 Fall season was completely booked. The referrals that have poured in from past clients. It feels surreal. These people chose me. Really? ME? I am just a little ole’ Southern Girl with an attitude, a camera and a fierce passion for the art of photography and from this…y’all chose me? I just have to laugh about it because it seems like a dream most of the time. After all, I am no Jasmine Star! But my cup is more than half full…it is overflowing and I am thankful that there has been a shift!
I believe that life is an ever changing season. Some seasons are welcomed with open arms and others we try to hide from under the covers and wait for them to pass. One thing that I have tried to force myself to do is to embrace all of the seasons because inevitably there is brilliance in each shift. If we hide from a “cold” season then we aren’t mindful of the warmth when it returns. If I were still under the covers trying to escape the “cold” I would have never been conscious of the fact that there has been a shift…of warmth…of change…of better…of brilliance…of growth.
So, these hospital arm bands represent a shift for me…a shift from sickness to health. A welcomed one! I am thankful for the nurses who took care of me and for the family that awaited me when I returned home. And for Ice Cube and Cedric the Entertainer for making me laugh! The belly that ached because it had an over abundance of food instead of not enough. Thankful for the fact that there has been a shift!
I love you Dawn! Who else can make hospital ristbands look so cool. I am so thankful to have met you. I too feel a shift from last year to now. I can only hope and be inspired that I will get to where you are. You say no Jasmin Star (I beg to differ) but I say I am no Dawn…. You are such an inspiration to me. I pray that God pours many blessings on you for a prosperous 2010!!
Lady, only you could make me laugh at a hospital stay and cry over prosperity. The only people more blessed than you are the ones who are lucky enough to have had you touch their lives in some way. Thank you for blessing us.
Sister! I didn’t know you were sick. I would have sure been checkin’ on you. Love ya girl. Hope you feel much better now!
oh sweetie… I hope you feel better!
{hugs}
Oh my! I did not know that you were in the hospital! I am so very glad that you are better now, though! You are such an amazing person and I love you for it : ) You will continue to do amazing in 2010!