Key West - LIFE

As I said in my last post, I have had my one year anniversary of my life battle.  This trip was originally planned as a retirement trip, but we added a life celebration for me after making it through this last year.  There were days and weeks and months of bad days, hard times, tears, loneliness and hills to climb.

I spent many a day laying in my bed thinking of this trip and knowing that I should be feeling better.  NO wound vac, no ventilator, no chest tube, no PIC line, no rehab, no PAIN!  Today, all those thoughts during lonely days came true.

I tell my children to never let life defeat them.  One of my favorite motto's is...

I have this exact magnet on my fridge.  I have looked at it many times and reminded myself that I am a tough old bird. 

So today I rose at 6:30 and felt it was a day to give thanks.  It was a day for a long walk and a personal journey in my head and heart.  I have much to celebrate.  

I dressed in shorts, a tank top and comfortable shoes.  I put my Ipod bud in one ear.  Picked up a small map.  Got a bottle of water  and hit the road.  I headed in the direction of Hwy 1

Along the way I passed a lighthouse and a beautiful set of trees, a Jacaranda and a Banyan

I passed Ernest Hemingway's house

I found the 0 mile marker of Hwy 1

I passed a cool little cafe and decided that I would return later and pick up Cool Pa and I some Brunch

I love the trees in Key West

I turned a little corner and found a little building that said it was the HOME of Pan Am, the first International airline in the US. I bet this was a happening place back in the day.

One of the streets I wandered

 I loved the chair on this porch.

All in all I walked about 4.2 miles.  As shops opened I meandered in a few.  I bought few items.  Some lovely soap, a peace sign scarf,  and a summer dress ($5 on clearance).  I did go back to the 6 Toed Cat and ordered Cool Pa a steak and egg wrap and I got a roasted turkey panini.  

It was a beautiful morning.  One of those experiences where you felt like you met yourself and took a walk.  I was happy for the solitude, I was happy for the health that carried me through the steps, I was happy that there is still life to live.