Today is Katherine Lived Day (4/22), the anniversary of the day after my stroke. It’s a day of goodness and gratitude, yet it remains overwhelmingly bittersweet even 17 years later. The existence of a Katherine Lived Day means there was a day I almost died. For every April 22nd there is an April 21st. It’s easy to forget that my second-chance life was never guaranteed. 17 years ago, we couldn’t have fathomed that April 22nd would be a day to celebrate. In fact, every path of reason predicted I would be dead. While I underwent brain surgery, my loved ones hurtled toward the grief of an unknown future. While I did survive, April 21st was a day of death for much of me. This year the anniversary of my stroke fell right after Holy Week. I’ve found such comfort in the parallels between my story and Jesus’. There was a day when Jesus died, leaving behind beloved friends who didn’t know the end of the story. They never could have imagined that Friday would be called “good.” Then Sunday came. On my own “resurrection day,”I didn’t miraculously rise from the hospital bed. I didn’t even speak or open my eyes. “Living” looked like wiggling my toes. Nothing spectacular, no stones rolled away. But those wiggling toes were the slow-motion start of a new life. The unlikely beginning of a ministry. My first act of rebellion against death. This year, we observed the weird, sad anniversary of April 21st with a YES day for me. It’s become a healing tradition—another rebellion—that helps me remember that while so much of of my old life died, abundant goodness remains. (But let’s be real, I deferred to my sons for most of the day’s decisions—like massive hamburgers for lunch. Although I did insist on a family viewing of the 1975 film The Hiding Place, ha!) Today, Katherine Lived Day, I returned to the work of leading my team at Hope Heals. To the calling of suffering alongside hurting people. To the business of making sacred spaces for people who don’t have a place. My rebellion continues. For as long as I live, I’m determined to remain in rhythm with Jesus: Good Friday followed by Easter. Death followed by resurrection. Pain followed by purpose. Hurt followed by hope.