I have had so many people ask me if I am done…”with what?” I ask…”competing,” they respond. It is true, I have had my third knee surgery in three years and yes, I have another one to go. It is also true that I have come back after two surgeries; I have overcome odds that should have kept me on the bench all my life. This is no different.

I am different than I was after the first two. I am older, true; my body has been through more, true; the surgeries are more invasive, true. But what is also true is my heart is different. I don’t wonder if I belong…I know I do. I don’t wonder if I can come back from something seemingly horrible…I know I can.

I have learned a lot too. I have learned that at the end of the day I am the only one who will ALWAYS be there. I am the only one who will ultimately live with my choices and carry my burdens. I have learned that nothing in life comes without risk or disappointment. And, that which you work the hardest for may very well be what ends up hurting the most.

I compete because I love it, not because it comes easy, it doesn’t. I can’t control it, but I can control how I react to what happens. My answer is no, no I am not done.