The Good and the Bad

 I was worrying on twitter about how open I am with my writing on this blog. That maybe people don’t really want to read about my bad times.

Then I received some good advice which really struck at my core.

“Sometimes understanding the bad days can make the good days more meaningful”

How true are these words?

Most of us take a lot of things for granted without really realising what we have. From basics like a home, shelter, foods, heat, to the bigger things like love, family, children.

I know I have been there, I remember the moment that I realised this.

How I had taken for granted the joy of parenthood, of beautiful healthy children.

I was sitting in a neurologist’s office hearing the words Rett Syndrome. Then the sentence “we don’t know what the future holds, no promises”.

Once the shock had worn off I remember thinking of all the plans I had made, all the assumptions all the dreams. What I had taken for granted.

Yet like my wise friend said I began to appreciate the good times more. Yes life had changed but I still had amazing kids and great husband. My home was filled with love and laughter. I was so blessed.

Move on 8 years my life has changed so much, I have lost my daughter, my heart has broken and at times I am consumed by the overwhelming pain of grief yet I can still see the joy in life. The blessing’s I hold.

I still have four beautiful daughters three I get to hold and cuddle. A wonderful infuriating husband who listens to me when I whinge and encourages me to follow my dreams. A job that I love, which allows me to open my heart and my home to a child in need of a family.

I also have my faith which fills me with the joy of a promise, that one day we will all be reunited again. That only time separates me from Livvy, and that forever is in my future.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life”. John 3; 16

So yes my life at times is truly awful and yes I can feel depressed and sad.  I’m sure we all feel this at moments yet by looking at the bad times I can see the good with a whole new understanding and gratitude.

It’s the simple things that make my heart sing.

So today I ask you all to look again at the simple things in your life. To look closer at the bad times, see what you learned from them and what you appreciate more now after them.

I hope that like I, you will be truly surprised and uplifted.