To those who cared and loved...

Thank you.  You have no idea how appreciative and happy I am to be here!  I know it's taken me quite some time to send my love back to all of you, but I just wanted to use and say the right words as to how I feel.

Today will mark a year from when I started my deep sleep for 23 days.  You learn that everyone has some sort of bad luck at different times, but whether big or small, we all try to get past it and try to make our world better and better because of it.

As you know, when my summer was just about to kick off last year, I suffered a traumatic brain injury which put me behind the doors of a big and helpful hospital.  I obviously didn't see a 23 day coma coming out of going down Cemetery Hill, but I also didn't see the incredible love I now have for my friends and family.

I learn more and more each day as to how lucky I am.  Whether it's hearing someone else's story or just thinking about the things I love to do.  This whole accident was pretty huge in my life, and it's weird, but I can honestly say I'm kinda happy I went through all that I did.  Not only are my family and friends higher on a pedestal, but I love and appreciate so many things in life :).  I have a great appreciation for walking, eating, being able to talk and so much more.  I have learned that you really should take one day at a time or even every hour, because your life can be so dramatically changed in a matter or seconds.

I'm just really happy to be around and well.  I feel as if nothing ever happened other than some occasional forgetting the car keys before I walk out the door, or I can't find the name or word I'm looking for in telling a story.  I am working on that.  I continue to work out to build back my strength and endurance.  And, yes, I have ridden my longboard, but with a helmet and on gentle slopes.

EVERYONE needs to know how much I appreciate them for being there for me and my family!  Even if I didn't know you and you just heard of that kid who ate it going down that huge hill, I thank you.  I'll never be able to say it enough.  Thank you for those who were my angels and being there right when the accident happened and knowing what to do.  Thank you to the doctors, to the nurses, to my friends, to my relatives and to my family:).  I love you all!

Sincerely,
Sam Cousin