This week has put me through the ringer.

After a year of Covid 19 presenting as a pandemic worldwide, I was personally affected. I was cautious; I washed my hands, I wore my mask, I socially distanced. Yet, I contracted it.

On top of the symptoms commonly associated with the virus, I was also battling how the diagnosis would also increase the Type II diabetes that I manage.

I had met my breaking point when I wasn’t able to keep down food for nearly 3 days and as a result was almost completely bedridden. I didn’t have the energy to move, even if I had wanted to.

As such, when I arrived at the ER, while I was able to breathe, I was labeled as DKA upon arrival.

So began a concentrated fight to beat the disease that amplified it’s effects. The same disease that over the previous year has proven deadly to some; including the uncompromising John Prine, who I saw play The Opry House in Nashville.

Coincidentally, while I was admitted, a preorder of Prine’s “I remember Everything” arrived at my door. I find the irony in finding a way to say goodbye to Nashville (at least in post content for awhile) occurs the same week I fight Covid and Prine’s advice arrived at my door. All of that to say that after a stay in patient, I was discharged to finish a quarantine and reviewing the completion of the symptoms.

I am grateful for the knowledge of the medical staff who lent care in building me back up. I am still making progress, but am in a much better space than unable to move or keep food down.

“Nashville, TN” by Chris Stapleton is how I chose to make my farewell to The Volunteer State. It is a song of admiration for what was, acknowledgement for what is, and a decisive pivot for the future. If at my best, my hope is that I move that way more decisively in multiple areas of my life.

So, let me ask you; what are you thankful for? Do you have a clear understanding of your circumstance? What is your next move to decisively improve your life?

Let’s take care of one another, y’all.