While wasting time scrolling through Facebook, one does occasionally encounter a pithy saying worth reading.    “Fall down seven times and get up Eight” is one such gem.  Persistence in the face of adversity is an under-rated ability.

I was recently recounting the highlights and lowlights of the last year (or so) to a friend.  As I gave her the Reader’s Digest account, it occurred to me why I might have been feeling a bit overwhelmed and ‘peckish’ at various times throughout the year.

My personal motto is “You can VISIT Pity City, but you cannot LIVE there“; However, this post is a foray to the outskirts of Pity City;  so feel free to move on if you’ve already had enough of my whining.

In one remarkable 13 month period:

I Became a grandma of twin girls (JOY, JOY and more JOY!).   In addition to being absolutely besotted with the little urchins; it has been amazing to watch this new family emerge.  My daughter and her husband are incredible parents.

I had an emergency appendectomy — I can no longer brag that I still have all of my original parts!  Bummer.

My youngest daughter was diagnosed with Anorexia.  She is hospitalized several times and her treatment is all absorbing for roughly 8 months.  (See Eating Disorders SUCK for more details).  The good news is that as of this writing, she is doing very well.

My mother’s Alzheimer’s advances and she is placed into a memory care facility.  Her lucid moments dwindle rapidly; and the  mother we knew only exists in memory. (See ‘Alzheimer’s Sucks’ for more information)   My birth family works together in unison to assist our father in making this decision. What a caring group of people–I love them all.

My Father-in-law passes away.  Ed was 87 and had  not been in good health; however, his passing was unexpected.  The ceremony is beautiful and touching, complete with a 21 gun salute in honor of his service to the country.  I sing a song at the funeral and everyone is very polite about it.

I am downsized from my  job without cause (kind of a weird coincidence that I took extensive FMLA prior to this event… *I’m just sayin*).  The good  news is that I am in a high demand profession and I had another job in three weeks; however, the bitterness lingers.

My husband’s employer has cash flow issues and ceases to pay him on a regular basis.  This poses a bit of a problem.  The good news is that it doesn’t materially affect our lifestyle, although we won’t be going back to Hawaii any time real soon.

As I write this, I can’t help but  notice the silver linings in even the darkest clouds.   The last year has changed me–for the better.  I am ever-so-slightly more patient and less judgmental.  I try a bit harder to enjoy each day /moment as it comes without obsessing over the future.

And – I am standing up … for at least the eight time.