Today is my three year stroke anniversary. I am feeling mixed emotions and reflective of all that has passed these last few years. It really can be a struggle when we are dealt such a big life altering change, learning to accept a new way of living. I am feeling proud of all my hard work and growth on this healing journey and have planted new sunflower seeds in my garden as a reminder to stand tall and keep on facing the sunshine 
15 Likes
Well done Alice and you should be proud of what you have achieved and continue to achieve.
Planting sunflower seeds is a great idea.
May the sun shine bright on you and your flowers 
4 Likes
Great news Keep smiling 
2 Likes
Thank you for sharing that lovely piece, such a positive attitude, I’m sure it will be very inspirational to anyone new to this community and just starting their road to recovery.
Keep up the good work 
Regards Sue
4 Likes
I love that you have planted sunflower seeds aa a reminder to stand tall.
Stroke anniversaries can be a strange time. It is coming around to 4 years for me. I hope I can look back and be positive about how things have gone too.
You should be proud. You’re doing amazing.
3 Likes
Thank you so much 
@IreneFC
Little by little and day by day
3 Likes
Hi @Mrs5K
Thank you, they are my favourite flower and a positive symbol.
Yes indeed, I found yesterday very strange but at the same time I was so reflective off all my hard work and progress on my healing journey.
You are a year in front of me.
Wishing you all the best and a happy day ahead
Alice
2 Likes
Hi @Susan_Jane
I am so happy to share with this lovely community on here 
I am a firm believer in the power of positivity-both in our thoughts and attitude.
Warmest regards to you
Alice
3 Likes
Thankyou @ManjiB
Yes I am very proud of my achievements and hard work.
Gardening is my happy place and sunflowers are my favourites.
We are shortly entering early summer where I live in New Zealand so warmer and sunny days are ahead
Warmest, Alice
2 Likes
Sunflowers are such a happy flower. When I see them they always make me smile.
We used to have a sunflower growing competition at work each year. Was just a bit of fun but was a little bit competitive (in a good way). 
5 Likes
I am only 7 1/2 months into this journey. I am inspired every day by the stories shared on this site. Thank you for all of your support. My friends planted sunflowers for me in the spring as they are my favorite. Winter cold is coming here fast and they are still standing tall and strong as the chickadees feed on their seeds. Blessings to you all.
Lane
6 Likes
Hi Alice
I am reading your post on 31st October which is the 16th anniversary of the ischemic stroke that I had in 2009.
Like you ,the intervening period has been life-changing although looking back to the first couple of years after the stroke which were difficult,I have since then managed to adapt and overcome many of the effects mainly by learning to work around them.
Some things,like driving, I have had to accept have gone forever but I have developed new hobbies in gardening and cookery and use public transport to get around.
We don’t always get to choose what life throws at us but we can choose how we react to it.
best wishes
Tony
5 Likes
Hi Tony
Thank you for your message. We are both so close together in our anniversary dates, although you are years ahead of me.
Life changing is so accurate, I to have had to accept that I won’t be driving again although I have managed to get on my bike again and I also drive a golf cart around the town I live in which fortunately is small and relatively quiet.
Wishing you a good weekend ahead.
Warmest wishes
Alice
3 Likes
Hi Lane,
Happy to find a fellow sunflower lover, they are my favourite too.
We are in opposite seasons and I have only just noticed my first seeds begin to sprout.
Warmest wishes
Alice
3 Likes
Love this post. I am just past my 1 year anniversary and still feel I have a way to go. Seem to be having a few more bad brain days at the moment. Still gotta stay positive and move forward. I love Sunflowers. I should really plant some.
4 Likes
Thank you @HamPorkson
Sorry that you’re having some bad brain days. You are not alone.
Staying positive really does help.When I was told I may never walk again, when I was in rehab in hospital, I listened to so many podcasts on rewiring the brain and neuro pathways, I told myself over and over to keep positive and one day I will out of this place, and gratefully I did.
Having plants or favourite flowers in a garden is so rewarding.
Take care,
Alice
3 Likes