When Bad Things Happen to People - Number II

     It is now 7 years since I wrote my article,  "When Bad Things Happen to People."  Since that time my life has changed significantly.  I have had more physical problems.  In 2009 I found out that I had an angioma which was bleeding into my spinal cord.  I had surgery to remove it.  The surgery was successful in removing the culprit, but it left me with permanent deficits, I am now numb from my waist down to my toes.  I am learning acceptance again.  I am learning to accept myself, with my physical changes.  I am learning this lesson only with God"s help.  God is teaching me to be grateful for what I can still do.

                             I am grateful that I can still walk.
                    I am grateful that I can drive.
                    I am grateful for my family that loves me 
                    and supports me.
                    I am grateful for my friends who accept me
                    as I am.
                    I am grateful that I can enjoy a beautiful 
                    summer day.

                    I am grateful that I can still dance. 

                        There is so much more that I can be grateful for.  This has been a 

                   difficult journey.  I would never have chosen this path for myself.

                   but here it is.  Each day I have to pray for acceptance of my physical 

                   condition.  Each day is a new day and I have to know that all is well 

                   and that all my needs will be met.  I may not get everything that I 

                   want, but I will get everything that I need.   

                          Each day, I can choose my attitude.  I can be angry and resentful  

                   or I can enjoy my life exactly as it is.  I can enjoy having lunch with 

                   my daughter and my grandson.  I can enjoy the fact that they want to 

                   spend time with me.  I can curse my disability or I can focus on the 

                   beauty of the day.  I can focus on my magnificent purple flowers on

                  the front steps of my home.  I can focus on the blueness of the sky and 

                  the fluffy white clouds floating by my window  I can question why me 

                  God?  I can also choose to know that I don't have that answer and

                  perhaps I am not supposed to have that answer.  The more important 

                  question needs to be, "What am I doing with my life today?"  Do I feel 

                  sorry for myself?  I admit that sometimes I do.  But I try not to stay

                  sorry for myself.  That gets me nowhere because it doesn't change my 

                  physical condition and I've just added an emotional problem.  I want 

                  to choose gratitude because gratitude lifts my spirits and gives me the

                  energy to live the best life that I can live today.

                             I wish you all acceptance of yourself, acceptance of others, and 

                  joy and peace in your life.  We are all part of a Great Plan.  We are all 

                  exactly where we are supposed to be today.  Relish your life!  Enjoy

                  your life today!  Thank God for all of your gifts and talents.  Use those

                  gifts to make this a better world.