I have two birthdays.

One is November 5.  That’s the day I was born.

The other is July 23.  That’s the day I almost died.

I should have died.  I was on a respirator for two days after emergency surgery on ruptured intestines.  It was the worst day and best day of my life.  You can’t live life the same way after something like that.  It was a tough year with multiple surgeries.  I was always preparing for or recovering from surgery.  And I spent a ton of time in the hospital.  But I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. It gave me a new appreciation for how precious life is.

So today I’m turning 12.  That’s exactly how I feel.