We are the champions

I've never spent a more full 18 hours than those I spent in surgery--nor have I been so unaware.

I woke to a smiling face, a few times coming to the surface, I thought I was dreaming, and that I remember. The dream part because there was no pain, no lump in my throat, I wasn't struggling against anything.

I was in a room with a smiling woman. She spoke to me in soft, suede tones. Finally I realized she was asking me how I felt. I wanted to tell her.

Right now, there's no telling anyone anything. Tongueless, there's going to be no saying of anything for some time--but I still have a voice box! Someday, I will speak again. It won't be in Elizabeth's tones, unfortunately, but the possibility is enough to satisfy me.

At the moment, I'm sitting in a chair, and I'm happy. Happy because of the chair, and where I am, and how everything has gone. I'm happy that I did well, and the doctors did better. Happy because the nurses are so good to me, but refuse to bring me coffee. I'm looking across the room at Charles and Scott and happy to see them happy.

Yes, this is day one of a very new adventure, and day one of a lot of work, but I'm starting day one out by doing more that I thought I would in a manner better than I was so certain I could.

The person I want to be is this person here, and now.

To all who have checked in, I'm doing it! For all the love you've sent along, accept mine in return,

This is how beautiful weird can be.