1. My daughter,Courtney, found out we had an Easter Bunny on the way on Easter Sunday. She is a college graduate but disabled due to spinal injuries, chronic pain, and FSGS [a mild kidney disease]. She and my oldest son moved into Grandma & Grandpa's house on our back acre after they died tragically in Oct. & Dec. The baby's dad didn't want the baby - so my daughter kicked him to the curb.
Tristan Gabriel is now 23 weeks, and he is perfect! My daughter "is the model high-risk patient", no signs of pre-eclampsia, gives herself Lovenox shots twice a day, and BP is perfect 110s/70s - even driving down into the heat of Phoenix every two weeks. I am very proud of how she has managed her issues, and I am overjoyed to have a grandson on the way - so are my boys who already have been over the top with my foster-granddaughter for the past 4 yrs. Tristan will not lack for "daddy" role models!

2. I bought myself the bicycle I've wanted since my birthday, a red & white. S. Point Beach Cruiser by Schwinn AND I rode it without falling off. I haven't ridden a bicycle in years, and I can do it again now! Woooohooooeeeyyy! I finally got the red bike I always wanted as a kid. My older sister always got red, and I always got green - no exceptions, I had no say. Na na na na na. I'm so happy!

3. I've been swimming laps 3x a wk for 30 - 45 min. And, I mean, swimming freestyle hard - as I was a lifeguard/swim instructor in my first career. I overcame my aversion to be seen in a swimsuit by buying a tank and wearing boy swim shorts too. I only had one bad morning where I got dizzy and had to stop. Swimming is like meditation for me on top of the aerobic exercise, and I'm not too exhausted to continue with a day of work afterwards. Getting stronger.

4. We had seven deaths, seven funerals from Sept. through May, with two relatives just managing to hang on to life. The battle for my father-in-law's wrongful death, med mal, gross neglect case wages on, but I always win, and now we have the revised death certificate and a lawyer on it. I asked God for weddings and babies after all the deaths and funerals. So far, one wedding, and two babies on the way. I feel like finally we've taken a turn of good life again!

5. And, I was able, on my own accord, to buy my 16yr. old a car after his father used the money left to him by Grandpa for other things....(basically stole it). It broke my heart for my youngest because he lived in an apt. off the back house and helped G & G continuously throughout every day. So unselfish for a young teen boy. So, it was a miracle how I was able to get the money for a down payment enough for a sporty, safe 2005 car for him - and this mom's heart is filled with pride and happiness for Josh.

So, the long hard battles that began last May when my daughter had to flee an abuser in Kansas, me finding a new job, re-breaking my arm on that job but fighting my way through, then my daughter's very scary health collapse, to the losses and G & G's tragic car accident, then dad's preventable death had they listened to me... pizza for Christmas Eve since the funeral was 2 days earlier and we were living through devastating wave after wave of shock and grief, to a huge PTSD meltdown on my part, staph infections, continued left arm malfunctions...to today and my RED Bike!

Despite a migraine earlier, I feel alive tonight. Really, just good to be me tonight. Wow. And my oldest son Nate just arrived home from his vacation in Washington with his girlfriend and her family. She is also a sophomore soccer player and pilot like my son at Embry - Riddle Aeronautical Univ. Both bright, talented athletes on scholarship. I have awesome kids! G'nite. C.

Now that's a SUCCESS story I'm so happy your life has taken a turn for the better. We all have so much to be thankful for!

I'm so happy for you!!! I wish you many happy rides on your red bike and lots of happy times with your new grandson! Thanks for sharing your uplifting story.

Hey C,

I really appreciate posts like yours. We really do need to make note of and appreciate and celebrate the good things in life. It's really the only way to live.

I had a migraine this morning and was depressed with it. Couldn't find a silver lining. But I've medicated it and it's much better now and I'm getting really excited about my grandson who is due to be born in less than two weeks time.

I'm so glad things are looking up for you. Your post was powerful stuff.