Life couldn’t be better right now.
We both have good jobs, enough money to pay the bills, plus a little bit extra. Principals from the high school and middle school have yet to call about our boys this year. We’ve gone two months without needing a major operation, it seems.
The washing machine and dryer still work after 10 years. I know my wife loves me and I will get to see all my kids this weekend.
Then why am I waiting for the other shoe to drop? Any moment now, part of me expects the earth around me implode. I expect to go home and see a plague of locusts in the mailbox. Even worse, somebody has purchased the Rosie O’Donnell box set for me for Christmas.
It’s not that I’m negative. If life gives me lemons, I will blame the dog. The glass is always half full, despite my motto, “it’s always something.”
Maybe it had something to do with our rough start that lasted almost 15 years. For the longest time, I felt like I was in a virtual game of Pac-Man, rushing to stay one step ahead. You name it, it happened to us.
Van blows out an engine. Somebody else needs an operation and we’re arguing about the t0othpaste.
Years later, the winds have subsided. The sun is out and little birds are chirping everywhere. Honestly, we still have stuff to deal with life everybody else. Trials never seem to leave. They just change their appearance.
Sure, I will continue to set some money and food aside for bad times. I would be stupid not to prepare for when life goes in the toilet again.
In the meantime, I will enjoy life as it is, smile a lot and help people as much as I can.
Update: Five minutes after posting this, my son received a referral to an orthodontist. Sigh.
6 comments
kathrynskaggs says:
Nov 24, 2009
I believe that we actually gain in personal strength for handling our everyday dramas, etc… — and we find ourselves more resilient as the years go by. And that's critical, considering the fact that things usually become more challenging. Isn't it nice to know, that you don't seem to notice that fact, right now?
tDMg
LaurieBee says:
Nov 24, 2009
After you hit a few bumps, you learn to put bumper pads on–maybe it's just part of maturing (didn't want to say getting older). –And your update gave me a chuckle. It's always something. Danny & I could go on a mission if we could just get out from under that one last hurdle . . . .
SomethingGirl says:
Nov 24, 2009
*giggle* Fifteen year rough start.
Also, you get better at handling the bumps.
(Look! I signed up for stupid IntenseDebate JUST FOR YOU! I finally did it. xo.)
Steph (sahans) says:
Nov 24, 2009
I would like it to be duly noted that I signed up for Intense Debate a long time ago and received no acknowledgement for doing so. ;-P
Think of the orthodontist as a blessing…. It isn't you that has to get braces.
brettnordquist says:
Nov 25, 2009
Mike, I enjoyed this post and your honesty. I had six-year rough start, was blessed with a wonderful next 11. I know what you mean when you feel like you're getting ahead and something out of the blue drops. Like a $1500 car repair here for $400 worth of glasses for the kids there. This past week it was $200 worth of batteries for the car. Keep plugging away. And, at the very least, life's challenges provide good blog material.
gabriellevalentine says:
Dec 3, 2009
I liked this post. It gives me hope. Somedays I just feel like I'll go insane (literally) or die from stress induced cancer right as it starts getting better, and all that stress will all be for nothing. It's difficult. I'm always on edge – "what's going to go wrong next". We're going on a 6 year rough start. It's getting slightly better and I just pray it stays calm for a while! =) Glad to hear your family is happy!