Happy Dance

Yesterday I celebrated an anniversary.

There were no balloons.
No cake.
No fancy dinner reservation.

But believe me, this anniversary was worth celebrating.

I have gone one full year without a fall or a broken bone.

For most people, that might not sound like something you put on the calendar. For me, it is HUGE.

My poor bones and I have been through quite a relationship these past few years.

In 2023, I broke my right hip.

Then, in January 2024, while traveling in Italy, I broke my left hip. What was supposed to be an adventure turned into something I never could have imagined. I was stranded in Europe for 51 days before I was finally able to make it back home to the United States.

During that time, I developed pressure sores and bed sores. My body was weak, my independence disappeared, and getting home became the goal.

Eventually, I made it.

And slowly, I began trying to put myself back together again.

Then came 2025.

Just when I thought maybe, finally, I was on the upswing, life had another surprise waiting for me.

On August 30, 2025, I fell again.

This time, I broke my back and my wrist.

Seriously?

At some point you have to wonder if your skeleton is holding a personal grudge.

But yesterday marked something different.

One year.

One whole year without a fall.

One whole year without hearing the words fracture or broken bone.

One whole year without an ambulance ride because I hit the ground.

And that deserves to be celebrated.

Living with MS has changed the way I measure accomplishments. There was a time when I probably wouldn’t have thought twice about walking across a room, getting into a car, traveling, gardening, or simply moving through my day.

Now I understand that sometimes victories don’t look very impressive from the outside.

Sometimes victory is staying on your feet.

Sometimes it’s learning to slow down.

Sometimes it’s using the walker even when you wish you didn’t need it.

Sometimes it’s accepting help.

Sometimes it’s realizing that being careful isn’t giving up your independence. It’s protecting the independence you still have.

This past year hasn’t magically restored everything I’ve lost. I still have limitations. I still have days when I get frustrated with what my body can and cannot do. There are things I miss terribly.

But I’ve also learned something about myself.

I am still here.

After broken hips, a broken back, a broken wrist, hospital stays, pressure sores, 51 unexpected days in Europe, rehabilitation, weakness, fear and more medical appointments than anyone should have to put on a calendar…

I’m still here.

And yesterday, instead of focusing on everything my body has lost, I decided to celebrate something it accomplished.

365 days without a fall.

Maybe that’s what this season of my life is teaching me.

We spend so much time waiting for the big victories that we can miss the quieter ones happening right in front of us.

So I’m celebrating this one.

Here’s to another year of staying upright, moving forward and appreciating every single step I get to take.

And if you happen to see me walking very carefully…

You’ll know why.

Happy one-year anniversary to me. ❤️

Still standing. Still moving forward. Still on the journey home.

Reflection

What have you overcome recently that you want to celebrate?

It doesn’t matter how big or small, you still overcame your obstacle!

Today spend some time doing something special for yourself. While others may not notice any change it doesn’t matter, you are a success story.

Julie Payne