Well, it has been 11 years this October since "the fall that changed my life". To say life has been easy since then would be a lie, but it would also be a lie to say that it has all been bad. My brain injury, though one of the worst things I have ever experienced, has taught me so much. 
  I am still missing a lot of my initial memory, and time is a huge jumble. My Dad died less than a year after my injury, and there are times I spent with him that I see pictures of, but I do not recall; this same issue applies to the photos I see of myself with my children and husband during that time, and I cannot recall the event at all. This loss of memory still stirs-up sadness, but the positive is that there are other memories that have started to randomly "pop-up" and though they are usually tied to a strong emotion (so I was either really happy, or really not happy), at least I am remembering something! :) 
  During the last 11 years I have lost people who I thought were my friends, and I have grown closer to those who truly are my friends. My circle is much smaller now, but I know with 100% certainty my friends are truly my friends and are not seasonal. Though I am thankful for the friendships I have had in the past, they were fleeting, and it was painful to lose contact with so many people.
  My children tell me that they love the "new me", and that the old me was "too uptight". Haha! The new me is much more relaxed. I think it is because I don't sweat the little things like I used to, and I don't take-on so much anymore. I set many more boundaries, and I set my limits. I have to do this, or I will not get anything done. I also focus on what is important, and that is my family- whomever I deem that to be.
  As time goes on, I am still getting reminders that my brain needs a band-aid (to say the least). I still randomly stumble, walk into walls, stutter and forget words, cry randomly and at inappropriate times (and just cannot stop sometimes! Ugh!), and my memory- let's not even talk about that! Regardless, I am really starting to accept that what I have gone through has helped me and my soul grow in more ways that I would have ever imagined.. I am so fortunate that I am able to work, and I have been teaching now for going on seven years- and I love it- stress and all. There are some REALLY HARD DAYS, but I manage, even if I am 100% faking it through the day. Kids are smart though- they can tell when I am off. LOL. I plan to work as long as I can, especially since I have to. HAHAHA! (I mean, I guess it is really not funny, but I don't know how else to deal with all the financial setbacks the TBI caused as well). My husband is so strong, and even if he doesn't always believe me when I tell him, I don't know how I would be making it through without him. 
  I still wish you all the best, and I continue to wish you growth and recovery.
​                                                                  - Rocky

I know I say "I'm back" and then I stop writing... well, hopefully that will stop now.  I have had to deal with some issues that have strongly encouraged me not to post anything to my blog or social media for that matter, but I have recently made the decision that I am going to push forward with my new life, and I am taking it in a new direction.
I have a new job, which I am thrilled about. That's right- I will be working full-time, so I will be able to have some new challenges and insight to talk about, which hopefully some of you will be able to relate to.  
I have made some really great strides lately, and have reached some, what I like to consider, "profound realizations". LOL!  I am not who I was before my injury, and I will never be- but, I am really starting to like the person that I am now.  It has taken me a few years to get to know myself again, and I have some definite quirks- but, oh well, I have no choice but to deal with them..  I have also aged a few years, so in combination with my TBI and age, I am really starting to care a little less of what the outside world tends to think. LOL!!!  
It has been FIVE and 1/2 years since my TBI. How long has it taken you to finally start to like who you are since your TBI? Are you there yet? 
I am here for you- let me know! <3

Until next time,
​Rocky

Hi Everyone-
I am not sure if you have experienced this, but though I am beginning to physically feel a bit more aligned and healthy, I am still struggling.  I was fortunate to be able to work the school-year last year, and this year we moved to another part of town- a new and exciting opportunity for my family! :) Though I am enjoying my family and the new experiences, I am not able to find work...  I did finally get called back for an interview, but based on the lack of response I am going to guess that it is not a position I was able to secure.  
I am a firm believer that all things happen for a reason, and that work outside my home may not be the path I need to be on right now; however, it still does not lessen the stress that there could be more I could be doing.  I still get headaches in the afternoon, but the severity is not as bad as it used to be (though, I guess my comparison is to the headaches I had while I was working), but I still would like to try to work again. I love being able to be there for my husband and children, but I also enjoy the feeling of independence I get from working and earning my own income.  I am often overwhelmed by the frustration I feel about not being able to do the latter, and I feel some guilt about even wanting to work outside of my home in the first place.
Do you ever experience this? I know I am not alone in this frustrating struggle.

How do you balance that desire to want to do something you were once so good at, with the different abilities you now have? 

I am still trying to figure this out, and it is so frustrating for me. 
If you have the answer or some insight, please share.


Please share your insights and wisdom.  Maybe you can help guide one of us down the correct path! 

Thanks for reading.
Until later,
Rocky