On Oct. 2, 2016, I wrote the following:

Lucky! I am a lucky person. You may read that after my previous posts and wonder if I have lost my mind. I have not! This morning while driving home from having pictures taken I realized how lucky I am. I have a wonderful, silly, kind daughter. I am abundant enough to get her pictures taken and to provide a good home for us. We have heat, food, and shelter. I have the love and friendship of many family and friends. I am grateful for all I have in my life.

Here is my present reflection on that writing: 

June 2026

Now almost 10 years later, I would use the words grateful and proud instead of lucky. I have the life I am living due to choices and the work I do each day. Not just my job, but healing and emotional work. My job provides the money for the food, shelter and warmth for my family. However, I have also grown emotionally during this time. I try to look at life from the positive side even when hard things happen. It has taken a very long time, but I can confidently say I am proud of my life and all the hard work I have put into being where I am today. 

I am proud of:

* raising my daughter

* 25 years in teaching

* owning my own home

* being a breast cancer survivor

* my ability to provide for my family

* my healing work

* acknowledging and using my creative side

*my kindness

I am grateful for:

* my daughter

*abundance

*family & friends

*writing and creativity

*time in my art studio

*quiet moments

*warm coffee mornings

This does not mean life is perfect and easy.  Life has had and will continue to have its ups and downs. How I react to these ups and downs is different now.  I am also much wiser in how and what I share. Along with who I share these ups and downs with at the time they are happening. I am not trying to hide or overshare for attention.  Older and wiser has helped me prioritize what is important to me and not worry what the outer world wants to feed me as important. I am proud and grateful for the life I have built.  It didn’t come with luck. It came from my hard work; physically, emotionally and spiritually. I am grateful for all of the lessons life has thrown my way. I am a better person because of these lessons. I am proud of and grateful for my life.