I never make a long story short, so call me "Tolstoy." However I want to provide some backstory and then tell you about how life can change in a moment when least expected. (IRONY)

Backstory: In 1992 I was injured in a mishap. It was life-changing and I will finally admit that I had no clue who Joe and Jennifer (my youngest) were when I woke up from the head injury. It's been a long road back complete with a quack for a doctor that prevented me from getting the real help I needed. Lessons learned and all that.

Several surgeries and lots of PT later I was told that what I had back was all I was getting back physically. I usually say that I am numb from the cheek bones to my toes, but that isn't accurate. I am leaden from my cheekbones to my toes except for neuropathy pain and all that fun stuff.

After the last surgery I was left with a grimace on my face that makes me look angry and hateful enough to bite nails and unable to smile as I once did. The timbre of my voice changed, too, and peanuts and carrots became deadly foods (swallowing disorder.) You all know about the light-cycling fun where even strong sunlight can sometimes cause a migraine and cookie-tossing. What I missed most, even when I was thrilled to be learning to walk again, was the ability to smile.

I had a smile that would cause people to come up to me and ask if I really was that happy all the time. (The answer was 'yes.')

Enough backstory. (and NO pity please.)

Yesterday I was sick. Really sick. I wanted toast but I couldn't go to the store to buy bread. I baked bread. I bent over at an odd angle to get a loaf pan out of the bottom cabinet and it was like an electrical storm from the base of my skull to my toes. (If I were closer-kin to you all I might tell you why I bent over at an odd angle but that involves bodily functions you all enjoy chatting about far more than I do. Suffice it to say I didn't want to change clothes yet again.)

The result of the electrical storm is that I have feeling back in my face and feel like my body has been released from a vice. I feel a hundred pounds lighter. I can smile with my whole face again. So many mornings I have woken up with my mouth full of enamel crumbs where my clenched jaws scraped the enamel off my teeth. Feeling my face is weird, but it's a weird that I can enjoy. YIPPEE! Whether this lasts or not, I have cause to celebrate. I hope this makes you all smile, too!

PS If this doesn't last and you all see me looking mad as the Queen of Hearts, don't assume I am angry, please. It's out of my control and distresses me a bit, too.