On...

Thanksgiving is the bright spot in what I feel is an otherwise drab, dreary, and cold month. It is a holiday of reflection, an examination of how lucky we ultimately are. It is a holiday for family and friends, food and drink, and no expectations relative to finding the perfect gift. This time last year I was still in the hospital. I got out right before Thanksgiving. So, last year's Thanksgiving meant a ton to me, my friends, and my family. It was, however, kind of fuzzy for me. I was still taking a lot of medication and I remember being somewhat overwhelmed by well-wishes. Appreciative of them, yes, but overwhelmed just the same. This year is different. I've been out of the hospital a whole year! I've had a year's worth of new opportunities, of experiences, and of life to reflect on. WOW! I am a lucky girl. I am lucky to be alive. It sounds clichéd to say that, but since I almost didn't make it (a few times) last year, I  am lucky to be alive. I am eternally...

I have been having a hard time, recently, deciding what to blog on. And then, I had a conversation with a friend of mine on the trials that we go through in life and it made me think. What makes one person's trial in life harder or more significant than another's? Nothing. Each person will experience a trial, maybe more than one. And for each person experiencing it, that trial will be significant. It will impact that person and the people who love him or her in a most profound way. And no one, will experience their personal trial in the same way as someone else. My friend mentioned that her daughter has suffered an injury that could lead to a major setback in a personal goal and dream for her future. Undoubtedly, her daughter is experiencing both physical pain and mental anguish from what life is unfolding for her.   Hearing her story made me think of a few other friends and family members, their trials, and how different they are from mine: One friend has an inop...