Life is Hard

Sometimes I think my life is hard.Like last night when I was running to the bathroom to throw up because of food poisoning and Cole was crying in the kitchen because he thought it was a race and I had left him in the dust.Or lots of times when I have to fix a "quadriplegic emergency" - which actually could be anything from nursing a bedsore to running to the garage because Jason has gotten stuck on the ramp.I saw a story today about a family who has eight children, four with muscular dystrophy.  As the line of family members traveled along, with three wheelchairs interspersed, I said to Jason, "Just when I thought my life was hard."I don't know what it is like to deal with many of the trials and challenges that people face in this world.  But I do know what it's like to live with someone in a wheelchair.  And while our lives are rich beyond measure, there are still hard things.  No matter what adversity you might face or what joys you experience, there are still hard things.

But I am so grateful today.  Not for the food poisoning.  Not for the "quadriplegic emergencies."  Not for the three-year-old always wanting to "win" whatever competition he is participating in.  I'm grateful for you.  For your stories.  For your moments of strength that beat out the moments of struggle.  The smiles in spite of the circumstances.  The life lived well - or as best as you can live it at the moment.The picture of the jar of butterflies that I used in my last post came from this etsy shop.  I used it simply because I liked the picture for what I was trying to say about my One Little Word.  Today, I still like it.  I like it so much that I just bought those little butterflies.  And I can't wait to receive 100 butterflies in my mailbox.  I know.  Now you want some, too.Lucky me.  Life isn't so hard after all.