Steady Hands

Twenty-three years ago I was on crutches, recovering from an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) reconstruction.

My injury was a result of my feet going in one direction and my knee going another while playing ultimate frisbee.

The rehabilitation was long, tedious, painful and frustrating.

To this day I am thankful that I had an excellent surgeon.

While there were days that I couldn’t imagine that I would ever run again, I did go on to run in college and rediscovered my love for the sport as an adult. Held together by screws, with a couple of good scars to document my journey, this rebuilt knee got me across many, many finish lines.

Tonight I can’t fall asleep.

It’s Deja vu.

Like mother, like daughter.

Tomorrow morning we are entrusting a surgeon with Caitlyn’s knee.

A few weeks ago she tore up her ACL and Meniscus playing soccer.

Thankfully the surgery has become more streamlined over the last two decades, but even if everything goes perfectly, she has a long road ahead of her. It will hurt and take time and make her feel like giving up.

She is about to embark on her first real marathon.

It will be a test of her physical strength and mental might.

While it will feel like an eternity, I know we will be running again soon.

And it won’t be long before she is leaving me in her dust.

I have the perspective to know that she will get through this, ultimately stronger in the end.

We have great confidence in her surgeon, but tonight I pray that come morning he has a clear mind and steady hands.