When Barney Fife reached his five year anniversary working as a deputy for Andy Griffith in Mayberry, he was given a commemorative waterproof wristwatch. On the back it was inscribed simply . . . “Five.” And Barney was thrilled with it!
Today I am celebrating five years heart attack free! There’s no commemorative wristwatch, but the ticker inside me (working at 28% EF) is still keeping time. And for me, that’s gift enough.
This journey continues to challenge me, but my identity is being remolded. And I wouldn’t change that even if I could. Sure! In a perfect world I would go for perfection: no flaws, no big life mistakes, no grave failures . . . and yes, I’d have back my 65% EF and the ability to run, lift weights, etc.
But the benefits of my heart attack have been far reaching. My character has improved greatly, and my purpose in life has come more clearly into focus. I can’t begin to put a price tag on that change!
I have no idea if I will celebrate 6, 7, 8, or more years heart attack free. But that is OK. As I approach 68 years old next month, I am finally growing up. A bit. Ha!
When bad things happen to us, i.e. when we are “given lemons,” we make lemonade, right? But my heart damage has brought about changes I can hardly take credit for; it’s as if the lemonade was made for me. I am grateful indeed.
P.S. If you’re reading this entry it means that I survived Covid and have posted this. I was declared “positive” on Sept. 27. Mild symptoms began about 3 days previous to that. If you’re NOT reading this . . . well, I guess I didn’t make it! And heaven gets another angel.
If you want to read my heart attack account, it’s in 5 parts beginning with https://theloststory.org/2016/10/07/the-making-of-a-widow-part-1/
HeartAttackSurvivor 
Thank you so much! Time, indeed, passes quickly.
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Thank you, my dear!
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Congratulations on the 5 year mark! I hope God blesses you with many more years to come. Time passes quickly.
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Great!
Mon
Sent from my iPhone
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