This is me about a month after my heart attack. Everything is gray! To see me in silver, look at my profile pictures. (And I'm about 40 pounds lighter in that shot).

Exactly one year ago, I had a massive heart attack. I am lucky to be alive. More than a third of people who had the kind of heart attack I had die before they even make it to the hospital, that is, if they are fortunate to have someone around who can call an ambulance to take them there.

 In that year, I've lost 50 pounds, changed my eating habits entirely, started exercising at least five hours a week, and learned more about the truth of who I am than I ever allowed myself to in the past. 

 The heart attack gave me a new life. It's still a struggle some days, when I come across some fragrant food that I used to love or when I just don't want to get up and get dressed and go to the gym or when going to work (thank God I still have a job) seems like it's just too hard.  But everyday I'm alive is a bonus.

 The heart attack gave me a new lease on life and I try to live every day to the fullest I can. I have plans for the future, lots of them. I'm doing things now I was going to put off until I retired. It seems as though most people thought I would not be able to change. But I could and I have. 

 I have a new and deep awareness of how precious my life is to me.  Because I didn't always know that. Sometimes, I still don't but I'm a stubborn one (Taurus, after all) and I get up and do what I need to anyway. Eat right. Exercise. Go to work. Keep my commitments. Try to make new friends and keep the old (most difficult of all, I think). Stay out of my children's arguments (they're all knuckleheads, every one of them).

 2011 will be the year of the hare - and I hope to measure up to my talents and ambitions.

"Persons born in the Year of the Hare are talented and ambitious. They are popular with anybody and good entertainers which often makes them the centre of attention. Even though they are liked they are rather pessimistic, insecure and are afraid of changes. They almost never lose their temper and are very good-natured. In the business world however they are smart and make the right decisions according to instinct. Nevertheless they are no gamblers. Hares are known for their sense of art and for that reason often have beautiful homes."

 So far, so good.