Anger, frustration, bewilderment.  As he lay in the hospital fresh off his fourth surgery, he wondered if the game that he once loved was worth playing anymore.  He lay motionless in bed staring at the ceiling, holding back his assortment of emotions. He was angry with what had happened and confused as to why bad things consistently seemed to find a way to get to him, but the repeated pain had turned him into a callous man.  He did not scream.  He did not cry.  Most importantly, he did not lash out in anger for fear of hurting his brittle body again in some unimaginable way.  He closed his eyes and thought about the good times, before he was always hurt.
Three years ago Joe was one of the top basketball players in the nation living his best life.  Joe enjoyed everything about his lifestyle back then, from the constant grind in practice, to the games where he felt he was on top of the world, and could not be stopped.  Basketball made Joe feel full as a person and he only realized he truly loved the game once his athletic ability, feel for the game, and confidence was stripped of him with an unfortunate series of injuries.  The first of many injuries came three years ago as Joe was playing some of the best basketball of his life.  Out of nowhere, Joe went up for a layup and came down awkwardly hurting his leg.  In just a split second, Joe knew his life had changed forever.  Injuries had become a common theme in his life, and the little pests always seemed to impact his life in some way.  Injuries took over Joe’s life, depriving him of living with the happiness he once used to have.  As Joe grew older, and the injuries persisted, Joe grew pessimistic about being able to live a joyful life again, because he felt that basketball was his only gateway to happiness.  Joe had an array of emotions throughout the entire plague period, ranging from anger to sadness to confusion.  Joe did not understand why bad things happened to him and why he was deserving of it.  He felt dead inside and knew that he would never be the cheerful person he once was, but he had accepted this new lifestyle.
As Joe lay in the bed thinking about where his life had gone wrong, he began to cry softly, unsure even in that moment as to what emotions he was experiencing.  Joe tried to think of happy thoughts but knew the feeling would only be temporary.  Once again, he wept until he fell into a deep dream. 
Joe was happy again in his dream; however, he did not dream of the game he once loved.  He envisioned his family loving him and having fun besides playing basketball.  He saw himself going through his current daily routine, but with a different perspective on life, appreciating so much more.  The little things in Joe’s life that he once took for granted were now welcomed and he let down his wall that had been up for three years.  Joe was aware he was dreaming, but he did not pull himself away from this special moment.  He tried to capture every second of this beautiful new life he was living.  Joe was not in control of his dream, but for once in three years, his injuries were also not in control of his life.  Suddenly, Joe’s doctor appeared in the doorway, starling Joe awake with a slight smile on his face.  The doctor notified Joe he was clear to return home and Joe acquiesced, still drowsy from the anesthesia. 
As Joe rode home, he was in deep thought about his dream and what he could’ve taken away from it.  Joe understood he needed to change the way he lived and approached his life.  He knew he was being very pessimistic about life and frustrated with the little obstacles that came throughout the day.  After thinking logically and clearly, he acknowledged the fact he would not be able to play basketball again at the high level he once used to, but he was now okay with it because he would appreciate so many other things in life.  Joe had a family that loved him, friends that supported him, and a great mind that was capable of doing so much besides basketball. 
Nowadays, Joe will often be spotted at his local ymca court playing recreational ball with a look on his face that does not radiate any signs of resentment.  Although Joe does not play basketball the way he once was able too, he has a much different perspective on life, living happy, free, and content, and appreciating all the little things that come his way.