35 Things - Ode to Birth

35 Significant events of my life that have shaped me. There was so many to think about, and it was difficult to narrow down what I think are the most interesting and memorable. Enjoy! If you dare, comment about a memorable moment we shared that I forgot about!

35. November 6, 1974 – Born Darrell Jon Gililland Jr. to Darrell & Becky Gililland at General Hospital in Pampa, Texas.

34. July 6, 1979 – Cassandra Gililland is born, my little sister

33. August, 1979 – My Gramps passes away

32. July 6, 1982 – Charles “Chuck” Gililland is born, my little brother

31. March 1985 – Diagnosed with Osteogenesis Imperfecta (aka brittle bone disease)

30. December 1988 – White Deer Wins the Class 1A State Football
Championship over Flatonia in Sweetwater, Tx. 14-13

29. August 1989 – Freshman in High School

28. July, 13 1990 – First of two reconstructive femur surgeries

27. November 6, 1990 – DRIVERS LICENSE!!!

26. July 14, 1991 – Second reconstructive femur surgery

25. May 1992 – First time to walk without medical assistive devices since 1986

24. November 5, 1992 – Eagle Scout Awarded

23. May 1993 – Graduated High School

22. February 25, 1995 – Accepted Christ as my personal Lord and
Savior

21. Summer 1995,1996 – Huddle Leader for Fellowship of Christian Athletes summer camps.

20. May 1998 – Graduated from Hardin-Simmons University

19. August 1998 – First year Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer, Northwest Missouri State University

18. December 1999 – NCAA Division II National Football Champions – BACK-2-BACK Northwest Missouri State University – 15 mins of fame on ESPN

17. April 2000 – Graduated Northwest Missouri State University, “Once a Bearcat – Always a Bearcat”

16. August 2000 – Hired as Head Athletic Trainer/Clinical Director of Sports Medicine, Missouri Baptist College, St. Louis, Missouri

15. November 2000 – My Grandmother passes away at age 71

14. July 2002 – Returned to Hardin-Simmons University as Assistant Athletic Trainer

13. May 2004 – My brother marries Melissa Rice of The Woodlands the day after they graduate from Hardin-Simmons University. I was honored to be the Best Man.

12. July 2004 – International trip to Holland and Germany with Hardin-Simmons University Women’s Soccer Team.

11. March 19, 2005 – Met Andrea Daniel of San Antonio Texas

10. April 2005 – Started dating Andrea Daniel of San Antonio – started many trips down HWY 83/84

9. July 2005 – Proclaimed my love to Andrea

8. November, 24 2005 – Asked Andrea Daniel to marry me under the Century Tree on the campus of Texas A&M University

7. June 17, 2006 – Married Andrea Daniel in San Antonio Texas, My brother was my Best Man. We Honeymooned in Lake Tahoe. In the same month I was named Head Athletic Trainer at Hardin-Simmons University

6. November 6, 2007 – Andrea’s mother passes away from kidney failure she was 59

5. April 2008, Baptized one of my former College Men’s Life Group members who accepted Christ during his college years.

4. December 2008 – Accepted to Texas A&M University: begin work on Doctorate of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, Fightn’ Texas Aggie Class of 2012 – WHOOP!!! Pursuing a life long dream of graduating from Texas A&M.

3. March 2009, My Granny passes away at age 90

2. April 2009, Brought home G. Rollie White Gililland our Golden Retriever.

1. November 6, 2009 – Reach 35 years old, no longer classified as a “Young Professional” by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association, I feel like I am still 20, I look like I’m 25 (at least that’s what the athletes say), I have a beautiful amazing godly wife, a warm home, a rascally lovable Golden Retriever, my health, my family, friends, and my Jesus. What a Great Day! Here’s to many many many more to come!!!! WHOOP!!!!