Shake Your Booty

A couple of years ago, I was lying in bed, having a terrible time with my heart. My little girl - then 5 - cuddled with me and wanted to understand what it was doing. Saying a quick prayer that I would know how to answer her without scaring her, her young brain and old soul would grasp things I could not even comprehend yet. Inspired, I walked, ran, danced, my fingers along the blanket and explained, "Sometimes my heart walks; sometimes it runs, sometimes it dances. Sometimes it tries to do all at the same time. Sometimes when it is supposed to be walking it runs, then dances, then walks. Sometimes when it is supposed to run, it walks dances, stops to shake its booty, then walks again, shakes its booty, dances, jumps, flips, shakes its booty, because my heart cannot make up its mind!" By that point we were laughing so hard, tears were coming down our cheeks. It especially lifted me spirits when Princess B got up and pretended to be my heart, acting out what my hand just did. Talk about adorable! How grateful I am that she was able to join our family before my heart prevented me from bringing her into this world.

We had a lot of fun being silly as we talked about all the things my heart was trying to do. This video would have been most helpful to teach her about heart rhythms. It is not meant to offend, but hopefully be a tool and bring a little smile to your face as these doctors use their bodies to explain a few rhythms.

Life is so serious so much of the time. Yet often, in the midst of the trials, there is so much joy to be found, if only we are open to receiving it. I hope the video brings you a little joy.

My name is Jenny McKinney. I used to have a funny heart rhythm. Now I just have funny cravings for chocolate.

Post by Ólína Björg.

"I Don't Need No Doctor...."

cel·e·brate

ˈseləˌbrāt

verb

verb: celebrate; 3rd person present: celebrates; gerund or present participle: celebrating; past tense: celebrated; past participle: celebrated

1.

publicly acknowledge (a significant or happy day or event) with a social gathering or enjoyable activity.

 

 

HOORAY!!  Today is the two week mark of having my heart fixed.  Time to celebrate life, right?  Of COURSE.... well.... maybe.  Saturday evening, my hubby and I were at an event for the Utah Music Association.  There were hula lessons (it was a luau) and of course live music.  Since I passed my 10 day mark to "get back to normal" I decided to do it in style!  I did a really fun dance called the "Hookie Lau" with my lady friends.  It was exhilarating getting back into the swing of things!  I have not been able to do that much movement with my body for quite some time.  Later in the evening, there was a live band so of course I grabbed a couple of my girlfriends and..... danced even more.  The first words to the first song are, "I don't need no doctor..." Does that hit the mark or what??  Oh, to be ALIVE again!!  Oh to CELEBRATE LIFE!!! 

It was exactly what I needed to feel restored..... until yesterday. 
I woke up and thought I would be fine.  As the day wore on, I began to have so much pain in the veins the procedure was done in, that I thought I was going to have permanent nerve damage.  After attending church, taking pain reliever during that time, then having a long nap after church, I still was not doing any better.  It took a long night of dreaming about all kinds of people dying almost constantly to wake up feeling better.  (Ironic, huh?)  Today, my points of entry feel better but my emotions from the crazy dreams do not!!

Lesson learned:  If we take a chance at something worth risking we may have regrets, but we will have even more if we do not.  I am grateful I made those memories.  For that, I have no regrets.

My name is Jenny McKinney and I may not need no doctor but I sure do need a bit more rest.... and chocolate!!