Throwback to 2021: 34 Days Post Valve Replacement & Making Memories with Nahla

There are moments in life that stick with you, not because they were grand or planned, but because they were real. Because they reminded you that you were here, that you had fought to be here, and that you weren’t just surviving—you were living.

For me, one of those moments was a cold, snowy day in 2021, just 34 days after my valve replacement. It wasn’t supposed to be anything special. It was just another winter day. But that day turned into a memory I’ll carry in my heart forever—making snow angels with my granddaughter, Nahla.

More Than Just Playing in the Snow

Nahla didn’t care that I was only a month out from a major heart procedure. She wasn’t thinking about my recovery timeline, my medical history, or whether I had the energy to keep up with her.

She just saw Meme.

And she wanted Meme to play.

So, we did. We laid down in the snow, arms and legs moving, giggling as we looked up at the sky. For the first time in a long time, I wasn’t thinking about my heart. I wasn’t worried about what I couldn’t do. I was just in the moment.

Not all snow angels are perfect, but this moment sure is.

A Memory That Almost Didn’t Happen

There was a time when I wasn’t sure I’d get to make memories like this with her. Before my valve replacement, before the study that gave me a second chance, my world had become smaller and smaller. Walking across the room was exhausting. Playing with Nahla wasn’t even an option.

But here I was, 34 days post-procedure, making a snow angel next to my granddaughter.

It wasn’t lost on me how miraculous that was.

Why This Memory Still Matters

That day wasn’t just about playing in the snow. It was about reclaiming life. About showing myself that I was still me—the Meme who laughs, who plays, who makes memories.

Now, years later, Nahla is growing up, and we’ve made so many more memories together. But this one? This one was special. Because it was one of the first moments I truly felt my second chance at life.

And I’ll never take that for granted.

Your Snow Angel Moment Will Come

If you’re in the middle of your own battle—whether it’s heart disease, recovery, or just life in general—know this: your snow angel moment will come.

There will be a day when you look around and realize just how far you’ve come.

And when that day comes, don’t hold back. Lay in the snow. Make the memories. Laugh until your cheeks hurt.

Because this—these little moments—is what life is all about.

Have you had a moment like this in your own journey? A day where you did something you never thought you’d do again? I’d love to hear it. Drop a comment below, and if you want to follow more of my journey, click the link to read more on my website.❤️‍🩹🥑

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