Just to Cheer Me Up (Olivia)

Today, I learned that when a Silvardo hits a Dodge Caravan, it isn't just the knee that ends up injured. My spine, which use to be a nice straight line of vertebrae, is no longer nice and straight. As a matter of fact, my lower spine is shifted to the right and it seems that I may also have a compressed disc. This, of course, explains my continued and not-easing lower back pain. My physical therapist has forbidden me from sitting for longer than 20 minutes at a time. He has also forbidden me from walking on the treadmill for longer than 15 minutes.

You see where this is heading, right?

Oh, yes, friends. All that hard work at The Stupid Get Healthy Plan, all the hard work at creating and maintaining a writing career has hit a road block (shaped suspiciously like a large pickup truck). For lack of a better word, it sucks.

Well meaning friends remind me often that I am very fortunate. I do have a beautiful new van :

And, I am very much alive.

I appreciate those blessings more than you can know.

But, the fact is, I am use to a very busy and active life, and it is driving me absolutely batty to be so limited. Also, constant back pain is very annoying. VERY. So, yes, I am very fortunate, but I am also frustrated and irritated and a little blue.

So, to cheer myself up, I am thinking of this little guy who has finally been matched with his family:

And all the other little ones that I have advocated for who now have families:

 There are many more than that, and that really cheers my sour mood.

She also cheers my mood:

Olivia was born in December 2008. She is an absolute doll. She's had surgery for spina bifida and correction for club foot. Her smile makes my heart sing, and I just know that her family is out there somewhere. Maybe you are that family. Seriously, wouldn't you love to see that sweet sweet smile every day?

Since my twenty minutes of sitting is up, you can learn more about Olivia here.