4 life-affirming traditions to honor the day I almost died (and you can too!)

“Leah Lived Day” is August 14th. It’s the day I nearly died 8 years ago in a construction accident. (And when I say nearly, I mean that I was lucky to live…past the initial impact, past the first ten minutes, the first few days, the first couple months, the past few years. It’s all been the most amazing gift.)

For us it’s always been a day of giving gratitude. It’s a day to awaken to the miracle of being alive. And we invite you to celebrate being alive today too!

It’s a day to go outside and stick your toes in the grass, get yourself a fancy drink, and write to some people you love (and maybe light a candle...)

Why toes in the grass?

I’m so grateful that I have specific memories of enjoying the sensation of grass on my feet the summer of my accident and connecting to my legs and core with trail running and dancing.

These days I touch flowers, go for a walk, and appreciate the way the light comes through leaves. But being present with nature is super important for me.

Why a fancy drink?

When I woke up in the ICU I couldn’t swallow. I was intubated over and over, going in and out of surgeries. Eating and drinking were difficult for months after the accident. The gift of being able to swallow is one that almost everyone takes for granted. I realized that it’s one of life’s greatest pleasures, to sip a drink you love.

Will you treat yourself to a fancy drink with me?

(I’m planning on some sort of fancy coffee drink.)

Why write to someone?

I put three letters in the mail the day before I almost died. (Which is amazing because I’m notoriously bad at getting cards into the mailbox. 😂) If I had died, those would have been very special letters to those friends.

Also, people wrote to me in the ICU. Those letters gave me so much hope and courage to keep going.

Knowing that a card/letter might outlast you, who is most important to write to today?

This year I'm incorporating one more tradition for myself: 
Lighting a candle and letting myself grieve. 

In the past few years, Leah Lived Day has also been a day of grieving for me. My body is constantly uncomfortable. It's hugely mentally taxing.

Giving myself some space to hold the grief too I think is really important. 

If you need a little space to grieve, whatever that loss might be, I hope you let yourself have a little time too. 

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Give Gratitude for the people you do life with:

Leah Lived Day is a day to refocus on the gifts in your life. A day to be as present as possible. Put your phone down and spend time out in nature and with the people you love.

I’m excited to celebrate Leah Lived Day with you too! In previous years we've said "post on social media about it!" But now we say, forget social media.

Instead, write a card and let someone know you love them. Stick your toes in the grass and have a fancy drink. Maybe light a candle and let yourself some time to grieve. Give thanks for the sunshine and the people you love.

Thank you for being here. The fact that I get to use my “bonus life” doing Tiny and Snail is something I am amazingly grateful for. You make the trouble of living with a spinal cord injury so very worth it. So thank you. ❤️

P.S. I'd love to hear what fancy drink you'll be celebrating with!