"I get knocked down, but I get up again"

I’m still in pain. Still suffering. Still uncomfortable no matter what position I sit or lay in.

So instead of complaining, I’m going to tell you what I’m thankful for.

I’m thankful for Alun. He’s going through a lot of grief and has his friend Dave’s funeral on the 8th June. Even so, he is kind, thoughtful, a good friend to everyone around him and has the best laughs I’ve ever heard in my life. When Alun laughs, it’s like the tinkle of bells. It’s magical.

I’m thankful for good friends. Sophie sent me a beautiful gift box this week (it was such a lovely surprise to arrive home to), Kristy prayed for me (that touched my heart so much) and checks in on me with kindness and encouragement, other friends also check in on me daily to see how I’m travelling and they are all so loving, so generous, so kind and so sweet that I feel so blessed of God whenever I hear from them. I’m surrounded by the best people in the world.

I’m in pain, but I was still able to submit (praise God) my short story for the “Great Australian Yarn” writing contest. My first ever writing contest, guys! I’m already spending the winnings in my big, fat head. Hahahahaha. I am so conceited, honestly.

I do like that because it’s a competition, that means someone out there has to read my story. That makes me happy. Lol. They can’t just throw it away, they have to read it to decide if it’s going into the ‘might win’ pile or not…and that brings me joy.

I didn’t realise it but when I look back on my life, I have always loved writing. I’ve kept a journal since I was 13 (I still have it – it had a cute little lock on it, bless), I love reading, I love recording my life and now that we are all so ‘internet savvy’, I love blogging. I think I was meant to be a writer, you know.

I’m thankful that I have a job and have money in my bank account.

I’m thankful I was able to send my Mom to Manilla to get her passport renewed. I DIDN’T KNOW MY MOM WAS GOING TO TREAT MY AUNTY TO AN ALL EXPENSES HOLIDAY and take her with to Manilla as well, stay in a fancy hotel and go to lavish meals all day erry day (MOM!!! OMG!!!) with mine and Alun’s money…but before I get angry all over again…I will just stick to being thankful that I can provide for Mom when she is so far away. Mom said Aunty Aida loved it. So…okay. *deep breaths JD…deeeeeep breaths*

I thought all my life I was supposed to be a Kindergarten teacher, you konw. I studied it my whole life and loved it…but I could never pass that last year of Uni. I tried EIGHT times before I finally gave up and took a Uni course on Sustainability instead. I passed that first go! Hmm.

God has His plans and sometimes they are sooo different from ours. I am still learning at 45 to trust in Him, no matter how weird the situation seems.

Thank you, God – for things to be thankful for.

I’ll go now…and pair up socks so Alun has loads of fresh ones for work this week.

I’m thankful to be a wife.