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I’m blessed. Period. I have a wonderful husband who supports and encourages me; he let’s me be me (as quirky and irritating as I can be at times), and I do the same for him. We both have good jobs, a beautiful home, the ability to travel, good friends, a wonderful family and we save for our future. We also have fun. A lot of it.

But, life isn’t always sunshine, roses, rainbows and unicorns; more like, blessings, gifts, trials and tribulations. We’ve had loss, frustrations, health issues and worries. In 2015 during a two-month period, we lost my paternal grandfather and my maternal grandmother. However, we gained a beautiful grandson and cousin those same two months.

One-year later, in 2016, a tragic car accident took the lives of two of my best friends, Thomas and Rick. I miss them every day.  Two months after their death, I had major surgery. Due to some complications, I had to have a hysterectomy and it was done abdominally (think cesarean). I was on leave for six weeks. What I didn’t realize until later, is how sick I’d been for two years. What I gained from it was my health and a new perspective on life. I learned that it’s ok to have fun, say no when I need to and just live my life. Pretty liberating.

In 2017, other than travel and work, life was pretty quiet and good. It’s now August 2018 and this year has been…interesting. We both have work frustrations (really, who doesn’t?) and we are constantly planning our next get-a-way. Both vacation and retirement. In May I had to have nasal surgery for a benign hemangioma which was completely blocking my airway on the right side. This thing was huge!  When the procedure to remove it was over, the first two things out of my mouth (once I woke up) were “where is Chris” and “oh my God, I can breathe”! It made everyone in the room laugh so I felt pretty good. Two months later and we were on a cruise to Alaska. Two days after our return, I break my left leg and sprain my right ankle.

So you see, while yes, I do have an amazing husband and damn close to perfect marriage, life is never all sunshine, roses, unicorns and rainbows. However, our trials and tribulations are never to be compared to others. All are unique. Personally, I’m grateful for the lessons they teach me (patience, perseverance, listening and gratitude are just a few).

What lessons have you learned from your trials and tribulations? Or, is your life all sunshine, roses, rainbows and unicorns? My guess is the reality is a mix – just like most people.