“So what is it in a human life that creates bravery, kindness, wisdom and resilience?  What if it’s pain?  What if it’s the struggle?”

2018 as a whole has been a year full of adventure, but the year did try to knock me down a few times.  Almost every month was welcomed with a new challenge.  And this Thanksgiving, that is exactly what I am most grateful for.

A few of the more noteworthy challenges:

• January:  A dog newly diagnosed with Cushing’s Disease, a severe allergic reaction to a new product I’d tried. I hit a deer with my car and had to purchase a new phone after mine decided to die for good the same evening I locked myself out of my house.
• April:  My father’s wife’s (Sandy) cancer returned.
• May:  Sandy suffered a massive stroke.  I bought a new house and immediately after moving in, my cat, Stormy, ran away.  I also started a new job.
• June/July:  My father and his wife were scheduled to move into a new house this summer so I traveled to Connecticut to help him with the move.
• August:  A Colorado hailstorm totaled my vehicle.  In the same week, my best friend’s father, Greg Walker, passed away.
• September:  Eye Surgery
• October:  Sandy passed away.
• November:  I was appointed an investigating officer for a tough suicide investigation.

Why should I be grateful for these things?  Because hardships and challenges are some of the most amazing blessings we could be given!  How else would we become stronger, better, and reminded to be thankful for who and what we have in our lives?  First, I know for a fact that there are others out there that probably had just as many, if not more, bad experiences this year.  Second, I was shown MORE love and compassion by others in these moments this year than I thought even possible.  I’ll elaborate only on a few.

A wonderful family came in and welcomed my dog, Lexi, into their home, taking on all of her medical bills lifting away the stresses she was causing me and those I was undoubtedly causing her in return.  She is now thriving and happy, receiving more love and attention than I could ever give her.

When I slammed my car into a deer, all I suffered physically was a swollen wrist for a day; it could have been so much worse.  God is GOOD.

When Stormy ran off, she was missing for 9 days.  While I continued to search, I thought I’d lost her for good and was devastated.  I posted to several Colorado Springs lost animal pages and my neighborhood pages, was and still am astounded and overwhelmed by the immense outpouring of love, support, understanding, encouragement and help complete and total strangers gave to me.  Members of the community sharing my posts in their respective zip codes, commenting that they were praying and or thinking of me, sharing tips on how to find her, some even going out with treats, calling and looking for her themselves.  9 days, 141 total shares, ~3000 views, shared photos of cats that looked like my girl, people checking in….  The measure of humanity and genuine sense of community I felt so sincerely by my neighbors and new city’s citizens was immeasurable.  I felt tremendously blessed.  I can hope only to be able to pay it forward in kind.

The hail storm came with it’s own silver linings.  I was headed out the door to attempt beating the storm but God gracefully works in mysterious ways.  Kind neighbors gave me a ride home; their 20 month old son and I played peek a boo in the back seat gifting me with the wonder of the world through a child’s eyes on an otherwise negative situation.  My home sustained no damage which would have just added insult to injury.  A beautiful, full rainbow revealed itself after the storm passed–God’s promise in full display!  The food and beverage supervisor of the hotel for which I ubered for a meeting that evening bought me a glass of wine and he had no idea how much this kind gesture meant at the time.

Eye Surgery only made me all the more grateful for my eyesight and the resolve not to take it or gifts like it for granted.  A co-worker ensured I got to the procedure and home from it in one piece.  My co-workers and neighbors checked in, offered rides and meals–another beautiful reminder that people are GOOD and putting faith in humanity is GOOD.  I also had the opportunity to share my story which I can only pray will raise awareness and prevent someone else from suffering the same in the future.

As one would imagine, Mr. Walker’s and Sandy’s deaths have been difficult to accept.  Loss serves as our reminder of how fleeting our time is here on Earth and of the importance of purposeful living.  Grief is simply the price we pay for love.  I will in no way attempt to rationalize these losses or speak for those most affected by them.  Instead, I will say that it is in these losses that we cultivate gratitude for the time we had with them and reflect fondly on the memories we made.  Then, with concerted effort, we valiantly attempt to move forward with noble determination to mirror in our own lives what we admired most in theirs when they were alive.  For the strength born out of loss, I am thankful.

Develop an “Attitude of Gratitude” and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation.  The hardships and challenges of this year indeed blessed me beyond conceivable measure.  I am grateful for the struggle this Thanksgiving because I grew as a person as a result of it.  Romans 5:3-5