there is a world outside...did you know that?

The past three years, it has been drilled into my head that I have limitations.

I can't do certain things anymore, and I just have to accept it

I can't run, I can't jump, I can't skip.

I can't play outside when the weather is yucky.

I have to be careful.

one fall can be damaging;

can take away what little abilities I still have.

one fall can ruin everything.

limitations.

Starting this last summer, I've been facing my limitations head on.

I was heartbroken, tired, barely functioning

and I knew something had to change.

I began learning how to do things for myself,

because there is a world outside...

there is a world outside and I've been missing out

because I have been told that I can't experience it the way I used to be able to.

I've accepted it.

I understand that I physically can not do certain things anymore

and that I have to be careful.

but.

I refuse to be limited.

I refuse to be defined by my knees, or lack thereof

And so this summer, I faced my "limitations" and decided that just because certain things may be more difficult for me, or certain adjustments need to be made, I can't let the world pass me by anymore.

I learned how to belay rock climbers.

I ran around after kids all summer.

I walked the freedom trail.

I went white water kayaking again.

I hiked out to Sabbaday falls.

I played in huge waves in the Ocean and walked all the way to Salisbury center along the coast.

And recently, I've rediscovered the world of winter.

I've had snowball fights

I made a baby snow castle

I've been teaching some friends how to drive in the snow

there is a new parking lot across the street from my apartment that i've been doing donuts in.

And today I went on an adventure to Mesa Falls that involved driving into the mountains in a foot of snow, trekking in snow for a while to get to the falls, and just being outside.

and even though i might have taken a baby spill that got me feeling a little defeated

and my knee is pretty sore and swollen and I probably won't be able to use it tomorrow

i was outside and I got to enjoy the outdoors

and i went for it.

Whose woods these are, I think I know,

His house is in the village though

He will not see me stopping here

to watch his woods fill up with snow

The woods are lovely, dark and deep

but I have promises to keep

and miles to go before I sleep

and miles to go before I sleep.

I didn't say no. I didn't back down.

i am not limited.