8 days

In 8 days St. Patrick's Day 2011 will be here. For some people that is a drunk day. Other people, it is amature night. For me, for me it is tradition. If you look back to my entry last year about this time I was majorly depressed. I was in denial. I didn't really know what was going on. All I knew is that I couldn't have the day off, and I had to do Dialysis for four long hours. Last year I did go to the bar, I did go to Dialysis, and I did go to work. This year, well, this year I have only one of those things to do. Go to the Marylebone!!! Hip hip hooray! I don't have a full time job bc I was medically terminated from the one I had last year. I still work at Blue, which I am extremely thankful for, but I still haven't been "cleared" to return to work. Last year after Dialysis I was weak, I wasn't in any mood to be there. I had two amazing friends come to say "hello". Melanie and Kelsie stopped by. They supported me and the 10 minutes I was there. Ran into the Rock/LoSole clan... it was all together sad and exciting. This year is a whole new excitement. I have been given that second chance I have talked about for the last 4 months. St. Patrick's isn't about the green beer or the corned beef, it is about the tradition I have made for me and my friends over the years. It is about hearing Bags and Pipes. Having Patti and Tammi work their butts off while I hang out and just watch. This year, I will have support in numbers. Melanie is going to hang all day... or as much as a mommy can!! She turned 30 last week and wants a day to celebrate the blessings we have both been given and the blessings that will continue coming our way!!

Love that everyday is getting easier. I still have pain in my hip, but I look at it as the "new normal" (At least until March 21... then I freak!!) Hope everyone is doing well and is loving those near and far from them. Friends and family are really the greatest gifts we all have. I am fortunate to have both!!

-M