Happy #HeartAttackComeback Day!

Terry. 1 month
after heart attack
Glacier Park - MT

December 18th is a new major holiday 

for the Allen Clan!

It's Happy Heart Day!

It's Terry-Survived-a-Heart-Attack Day!

It's #HeartAttackComeback Day!

What?! You didn't hear? On December 18, 2012, my hubby --Terry Allen-- hadn't been feeling great; however, had been keeping that fact from me for about two weeks. That morning when Terry went for a run, he didn't get very far and knew something was seriously wrong. The situation only worsened and by evening, he called me from a parking lot screaming in pain to meet him at the hospital because the ambulance had been called. Our son, Dane, and his then-fiancé, Emily, quickly met us there. 

T was life-flighted to Vanderbilt Hospital where a cardiac team quickly accessed his problem and saved my husband's life. I sat up all night in a dark corner praying, observing the attentive team and listening to the various beeps and breathing of my honey. Being a Believer in God's power for healing, I didn't need to hear comforting words of well-meaning friends, I just wanted to sense the nearness of my Savior, Jesus Christ. And, I did.

Drew & Daney.
Gotta find joy somewhere!

I can recall many details of those next few days. Too many to list. I remember waking in the waiting room to the rustling of a paper bag as our dear friend and pastor, Drew, handed me a cup of hot tea and said, "Wow. You look rough." I remember Aaron "Smiley" Farmer (my summer son) walking around the corner in the waiting room just as my emotions and fatigue collided. He brought my fave hazelnut coffee and bagels. I remember Daney fielding questions on the cellphone and becoming a man in my eyes. I remember driving away from Vandy with T riding shotgun. Kinda hard to drive with your eyes full of tears. I remember waking up early and sitting quietly with "mah mayn" in the glow of the Christmas tree reading our eReader versions of the Bible.

This year, 2013, has been Terry's #HeartAttackComeback year. In celebration of his life and the one year anniversary, I asked (um...really, I told) him when he was finished writing his post on the day before, I wanted to include it on my site, too!

Dane's Recovery Instructions
to Dad
in the Cardiac Care Unit
of Vandy

1 month anniversary
with
Lowell & Tami Hochhalter
Glacier Park - MT

Today I ran and walked 13.1 miles for 14 reasons... (or 13.1 reasons)

Mile 1 - Gratefulness. I am just happy to be alive.

Mile 2 - Fear...For one solid year I have thought about having another heart attack. Every morning it was one of my first thoughts. Every time I took my daily medicine. With every pain has come a whisper of my demise and I am flat sick of it. I will not be controlled by a spirit of fear. Period.

Mile 3 - 12/18 is the heart attack anniversary and I thought it would be great to do it before I go to the doctor tomorrow.

Mile 4 - I set a goal to run a half marathon by the end of 2013, and it was within my grasp. I honestly didn't know if my body could take it, but I refused to give up on the goal and not at

Terry & Drew.
Sunday following heart attack

least try.

Mile 5 - For everyone who struggles with depression. For the darkness that tells you your life is over...Don't believe it.

Mile 6 - For my Hebrews Eleven Life Group (a.k.a LifeNet). I wanted to knock out a hope target for them.

Mile 7 - For my Pastor and best friend, Andrew Wharton, who sat in the car and prayed for me, followed the ambulance, lobbied to get on the life flight and stayed up all night in the hospital with me. ICU will never be the same.

Mile 8 - For every person that has slugged it out this year to change and comeback from addiction, bad health or another life struggle.

Mile 9 - For all my encouraging friends who prayed and took the time to visit, call & care.

T & me.
Our first completed mile
toward the
#HeartAttackComeback

Especially Jim & Bonnie Long, Lowell Hochhalter, Tami Parker Hochhalter, Kent & Kelley Tucker Steven Morgan, Shannon Baugh Morgan, David Morgan, Randy Valimont, Terry Bailey, Glenn Burks, Larry Vine, John & Laura Driver, Roy & Cari Stone, Eduardo & Sandra Rocha, Jonnie & Curry Wethington...and more.

Mile 10 - Because I'm not a quitter.

Mile 11 - Eleven was for my mother and family. My father died in her arms from a heart attack afew years ago and when I had my episode she had to relive those memories. This one was for her peace, happiness and to give another punch in the face to worry for making her cry.

Mile 12 - I ran it for Dane Allen. No kid should have worry about his dad losing his life so early. I ran it to punch worry in the face for making my son uncomfortable. Don't mess with my kid.

T & me.
At Dane & Emily's wedding
September 14, 2013

Mile 13 - I ran it for Samalee Allen and for all of her incredible sacrifice this year in helping me get healthy. Honestly, I also wanted to destroy any fear she may deal with of losing her husband. We are one and I will not stand for fear in the eyes of my wife. 

Mile 13.1 - I ran it because there is "no sweeter name than the name of Jesus. No sweeter name that I've ever known." - Kari Jobe has sung that to me a hundred times this year and I believe it. "You are the light in my heart and my soul. You are the light to the darkness around me." Without Jesus and his help I would not be here. This whole journey is a testament to His grace and mercy. The finish was for Him.

I love you, Terry Allen. 
I love you 'til the day I die.
Together, we can conquer the world in love. 
You and I. 

Happy #HeartAttackComeback Day!

Rise Up and Be Great!

Terry & me (with my great, big boots) on "The M" overlooking Missoula, Montana
January 2013 - Almost one month from his heart attack
(photo taken by Lowell Hochhalter)

I love my honey! Few know he has written songs and poems during our marriage. Terry's creativity usually comes from his quiet times when God stirs up something from deep in his heart. If you're needing an extra shot of encouragement, then, this is for YOU!


-Spirit of Courage-

I'm the still, small burn inside you
The ember refusing to relent.
I've been placed here to encourage
I'm the one that God has sent.

Though life has knocked your wind out,
You're still a favorite to One.
You're much stronger than a dark horse,
Breathe deep, get up and run!

Hear the whisper in your spirit?
Hear me calling you to come?
Make a break for the clean air.
Shed the rags of the norm!

Climb over tragedy and average,
Don't be a victim of fate.
You were made to conquer mountains,
Rise up and be great!

Written by Terry G. Allen
2013

Colorado Vacation

Sensing both of us needed a non-working related vacation, my hubby wanted me to explore options within an easy driving distance from Nashville. He knows I love the planning of the journey just as much as the journey itself!

The same day he tossed the beach ball idea into my head, we received word an uncle had passed away in Texas. With that, we adjusted our schedule and just thought, "Because of the funeral, we'll already be 12 hours closer to the Rocky Mountains. Why don't we see if anything's available in Colorado?" A friend suggested I check into Homeaway.com or VRBO.com to see if there may be any great lodging reservations on such short notice. I found a jewel at Keystone, Colorado!

No, this is not a commercial for those websites or even for the resort. I know there are other travel enthusiasts, like me, who love a great tip and to share an even greater tip with fellow travel-bugs! Here's the listing: http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p103040vb. I wish I had saved the review I wrote which captured my thoughts exactly, because I was so refreshed! The pictures on the website were exactly what it looked like when we opened the door to Room 3065. HOLY COW! Provided: Baggage buggy from the private garage, Tide detergent for the stackable washer/dryer, kitchen utensils and cookware, dishwasher detergent, spa quality toiletries, K-cup coffee & cocoa. We felt Summit County lacked diversity in restaurants, but that didn't matter to us. With the gas appliances and grill in the condo, it was decided we could make delicious meals as a couple and not spending as much $$ eating out. It turned out great for our mostly-plant-based nutrition!

Keep in mind, we love to be outdoors on vacations and hiking is a cost-effective, stress-reducing pleasure! But, there were so many other activities in the mountains surrounding our condo, usually a haven for winter sports, they've managed to thrive in the summer! Temps: 75/43 degrees! We really wanted to mountain bike the ski trails and ride horses around Dillon, but we just didn't want to be with anyone else nor on someone else's time schedule. Face it--alone time and sleeping late is a treasure!

I thought I'd share a few of our fun pix from Keystone/Dillon/Silverthorne, Colorado, in beautiful Summit County! COLORADO IN THE SUMMER? IS THIS DONE? YES!

Worry: The Big Scary Shadow?

Do you remember seeing an old cartoon where the cat is after the mouse, when from around the corner a huge, monster mouse seems to be stalking the cat, but it's just the shadow of the little mouse?

_____

Worry gives a small thing a big shadow. Swedish Proverb

_____

Worry is just that. It's a big, hairy shadow stalking us. We cower in the corner awaiting the perceived dripping fangs to sink into our flesh and devour us.

Worry is never useful. It is destructive. It handicaps and diminishes us preventing clear thinking. As the mind begins to feed on its own natural reserves, our perspective is skewed or slanted and shadows play tricks on our mind.

The Bible asks this question: Which one of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life or an inch to your height? (Matthew 6:27)

My husband describes these worried imaginations as negative, mental pictures of the possible outcome of a circumstance. These imaginations are simply not real. And, worse yet, they are opposing ideas to God and His Word. There is no faith when worry is permitted to solidify into fear.

What should we do when worry begins to creep in?

1. Relax. Breathe.
2. Refrain from giving in to this crippling shadow-monster.
3. Recognize you're in a negative thought mode and retrace your steps back to the source of the thought asking, "Where did this start?"
4. Remind yourself of 2 Corinthians 10:5: Casting down imaginations and every thing that sets itself up against the knowledge of God and taking captive (arresting, disabling) every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Satan has been at his game for a long time and knows how to play it, but "...we are not ignorant of his schemes" (2 Corinthians 2:11) to "...steal, kill and destroy" (John 10:10a).

If worrying has become a habit, you must decide to be intentional about vaporizing the dependence on its company. We don't need to allow it to pull up a chair and stay awhile, anymore. Amen?

Share your thoughts.

~"Sam"

Resilience on A Dark Knight

Smoke and screams, bullets and bombs,

Sirens are wailing their funeral songs,

but you couldn't kill me, I've been here too long...I am Resilience.

Soldiers or teens, no one was spared

From your possessed intermission, from your insane fair,

But you couldn't kill me, I'm still here...I am Resilience.

Moms and dads are in a frantic frenzy,

It's all out panic cause they can't find their babies

but you couldn't kill me, I'm gonna hold them steady...I am Resilience.

Newscasts rehash about your show of power.

Tellin' your story to shut the door on this horror,

But you couldn't kill me, It's my finest hour...I am Resilience.  

You see I live deep. I live in the rock,

In the hearts and the faith of the people you shot.

And though they are gone, their spirit is not...I am Resilience.

I am stronger than your hate, their pain, or their fear.

I am alive and kicking in the hearts who care.

Just look around, Joker, I am everywhere...I am Resilience.

North, South. I'm world-wide. 

I'm east to west and side to side.  

I am the bounce, the comeback, the rally cry...I am Resilience.

I'm the light in the midst of a dark, dark night. 

I'm the will, the knuckles, the fist in the fight. 

I'm the resolve, the recoil, the fire in the eye...I am Resilience

I'm forever on the move.  I'm as long as it takes.

I'm the last to speak.  I'm the cape you can't shake.

I'm the steel black eyes that are forever awake...

I AM RESILIENCE

by Terry Allen - after watching the sadness on t.v. and panic of a father searching for his child after the shootings at the Century  Theatre - The Dark Knight Rises midnight show in Aurora, Colorado

Saturday, July 21, 2012 -  2:51am