15 months ago I had a spontaneous hip fracture. I was rushed to the hospital and had emergency surgery. It was a scary ordeal, as I had no clue what happened, and to this day, I still don’t know what happened.

My hip is fixed and I still have daily pain. It has been rough and I know it is a process. I exercise, follow my physical therapy regime and focus on losing a few pounds, as I know the extra pressure makes a difference. I direct my thoughts and intentions on gratitude, daily. It is not easy as the pain is a constant reminder. I wonder, “Will it get better?” I am reminded that I have been walking on this hip for over 50 years, and now, my cadence has changed and basically, I am learning how to walk all over again. It is a process. I have my moments.

Today, as I drove to take my dog on a hike, I was at a stoplight and a 70+-year-old cyclist road by. As he passed, I noticed he only had one leg. I had seen him once before, and now, again, I am taken aback. Immediately, I thought, “Get over it. You have both of your legs”.

It was a great reminder for me to keep moving and be grateful that I have both legs, even if one is artificial. I need to push through this pain and get my mobility back. Gratitude is the way back to your self. It can help you through challenging times. You can take the focus off of you and shine the light on others.

My “hip hip hooray” is a new experience and opportunity to see it from a different perspective. My new hip and femur are working, and my body is adjusting. I am grateful and resilient. How will you deal with your next “hip hip hooray”?