Indeed. Life happens. When it happens smoothly, all is well.  When life hiccups, when it’s hard, even moments that aren’t difficult can seem insurmountable.  I’m planning a move in the next 6 weeks – although I haven’t found a house yet- so my kids can be in a better school district.  I’m going to my family reunion in a few days – the first in 9 years – thanks to my Grandmothers generosity and my tax return.  With that tax return I got all the work done on my 9 year old van – which was far more substantial than I had anticipated- but I’m grateful that it’s all fixed up.  Sometimes life seems overwhelming, but the blessings are there if you take a moment to breathe and look.  I have healthy, amazing children that I have the privilege of raising even if it’s as a single Mom.  I have a profession I enjoy in a location I love.  I have an amazing team of men and women who aren’t just teammates, I am honored to call them friends as well as friends close by and far away.  I love where I live, I have a happy, full life.

I’m pretty much a glass full person.  Not half full – it’s filled with 1/2 water and 1/2 air – both of which are necessary for life.  There are times, however, when the minutia of life clouds my vision and it seems as though a long nap – say 2 months – would take care of everything.  Times that for a second I look at the Ostrich with his head in the sand and acknowledge that he may be on to something.  At that moment I must remember the beauty of the story of my life is not in the laughter, the joy, the beautiful poignant moments however I appreciate those.  The beauty of my character has been forged through the trials – if not always in the trial itself, most assuredly in the lessons I’ve learned and the stronger person who emerged because of them.  In the end, I believe I am strong enough.

In the heat of the moment, it is easy to be distracted by the trial, the stress, the sadness, the disappointment, the failure.  It is challenging for me to bear in mind that I am never alone in my struggles because I have tremendous faith that God is with me and that no struggle is in vain.  I am regularly given the gift to learn something and the ability to pass that knowledge on.  In our day to day lives, we are unable to calculate the impact we have on others even in passing.  Every day, no matter how seamless or brutal, I contemplate how I can make that count.  In the end, I hope I embrace the beautiful moments and soldier on through the difficult to embrace changes and struggles and become a better version of myself.