Raynetta Manees, Author

On this date one year ago I had a massive heart attack. My heart stopped beating twice. I was in ICU for a week and in another hospital a second week.

Today I am up and about and back to fully living my life. I think about all the wonderful things I have experienced in the past 365 days that I came so close to missing and I thank God for his goodness and mercy in bringing me back to the people, places, and things that I love.

So many friends, family, and readers stood by me during this experience, more than I can individually name, but I have to send out a special thank you to my daughter, Tiffani, and my granddaughter, Zayna for their love and care. Also special thanks to my sister, Starr and my best friend, Helen, for the many times they came to visit me in the hospital and all their love and support. 

During this past year, I have said to myself, “This may be my last Halloween,” and “This may be my last Thanksgiving,” and “This may be my last Christmas.”  On just about every special occasion I told myself that it might be my last and I tried my best to fully experience, appreciate, and enjoy the occasion.

But one day I realized nothing had really changed about that.  Every Halloween of my life could have been my last.  Every Christmas of my life could have been my last.  And realized that is not only true for me but true for every one of us.  None of us know which day on this earth will be our last.  Tomorrow is promised to no one.

So the circumstance had not changed at all.  What changed was my realization of this fact.  Intellectually, we all know one day we are going to die. But for me, it took my walk through the valley of the shadow of death to make me truly appreciate just how precious every day, every hour of life is, and to try to live it to the fullest.

So as well as returning me to life God also gave me another gift.  The full appreciation of every minute of the life He returned to me.