Then it seemed to be one emotional hit after another. First illness with both my parents, then serious worry over an unexplained illness with my nephew ( which thankfully remains an unexplained mystery that seems to be slowly resolving itself and is not the big C that was beginning to be discussed) . Coping with final year exam pressures. Then the seemingly innocent ill health my dad was suffering turns out to be a side effect of a much bigger illness- cancer. This is the news that has really hit me. Dads are invincible, they will always be there won't they? Cancer may not be the dreaded disease it once was, but the statistics on this type are not great. And the testing goes on and on. No treatment or prognosis yet and the waiting seems as bad as the diagnosis.
So, there only seems to be one way to not succumb completely to the emotional roller coaster I seem to be riding. Everyone's life is a journey and remaining grateful for the many small blessings encountered along the way can carry you through.
What am I grateful for?
1. Having an intern on my class this term who has been doing to vast majority of teaching. This has really helped me balance my time better
2. It has been incredible to see the family rally, first for my sister, then for my Mum and Dad. Being part of a large family is a blessing I have always been grateful for and knowing we are all going through the same thing at the same time is a tremendous support
3. Amidst the stress and tensions of final year exams, very grateful to have a teenager who has not caused any grief or undue stress and has managed to remain focused amongst everything else
4. Friends who pop around to help out with the small projects that can seem insurmountable
5. And lastly, but definitely not least, for eternal promises
As the future unfolds, it is good to know their is a plan, a perfect plan. Good to know, but hard to accept sometimes.