Birthday Reflection

Today is a beautiful day. It’s not only my birthday, but a day that I have used to reflect on some of my relationships and how blessed I am in this life.

First, my best friend, my husband is PERFECT! I was sitting with him the other day and was looking at him and thinking just how perfect he is for me. I could not imagine anyone else in my life. We grew up so differently, yet we are so much alike. I really can’t imagine getting along with and loving someone else as much as I love Chad. I am so lucky to have such a great man in my life. He loves, protects, and cares for me. He even deals with me being sick all the time, I know that is hard.

Second, my brother found out great news on Friday. I am so happy to hear him doing so well. He is definitely kicking cancers butt. Everyone’s prayers are working, please keep them coming. I know I am praying everyday for him! Please remember, Cat needs your prayers too. She is fighting just as hard as he is.

For my family - I feel a closeness to my mom that most people don’t have. I have a best friend in my mom and I am so lucky for that. I talk to my dad almost every day and can tell him everything going on in my life. I am glad that I am still a “Daddy’s girl”. I see my father-in-law almost weekly and we have a great time talking, laughing, debating, anything a girl would do with her actual dad. I am lucky enough to have that same type of relationship with my father-in-law. I chat with my mother-in-law more than my husband does. He is much busier than me. This has given me the great opportunity to become friends with her, instead of just a daughter-in-law. I am happy to call her my friend. I feel so blessed to have these four parents in my life. I think I always took it for granted, because as I look around, I notice not all people have their parents in their lives and if they do, they don’t always enjoy them the way Chad and I do ours. I am thankful that Chad gets along with my parents so well also. Now, if we could only get all four of our parents to get along with each other :) Chad and I are even getting closer to my Grandpa and Brenda, it feels great to know they are always there for us, as well as us for them. It’s great to have them to look up to.

I think about how much I used to stress about coming to work and hated being there. I no longer feel that way. I have changed MY way of thinking. I have learned that I cannot change the way Jean treats people or the irritating way others act, but I can change the way I react to these situations. I can go home knowing I did my best for the day. I have learned to feel great about the people that I work with. Now, I won’t pretend that everyone here is perfect and I just can’t wait to see everyone every day, but there are a few people that I love talking to. I know if I left today, I have a few people I would still talk to and be friends with. That makes me feel great.

It’s amazing how much your own attitude can reflect in how your day goes. It’s easy to get irritated and upset. It takes a better person to dust off their shoulder and keep moving along.

Most people don’t know, but I have been pretty sick for the last month or two. My crohn’s has come back and it doesn’t have much sympathy for me. I have found a new doctor and just pray that he will know the best way to treat me and my unique case. Please pray that my tests on Friday go well and that he comes up with a great way to get me better. I am very tired and irritable right now, but making the best of it. I just wish it was over. I know this is going to be here for the rest of my life, I just want to find the best possible way to live with it.