What makes Life worth Living

Bad days, long days, sheer exhaustion…

Life happens to everyone and sometimes I can’t tell whether I’m coming or going. I get overwhelmed. I get cranky. And I think to myself (more than once, I’m afraid) that I just can’t handle it anymore.

Then I stop and take a look around…

And I realize that despite all of the bad days, there are some things in life that make the bad days worth it:

• The 15-20 minutes that I get to spend in silence rocking my baby boy to bed at night. He’s recently decided that he wanted to be rocked again, and I’m living it up. Listening to his breathing, rubbing his back and holding him in my arms for a just a few more minutes seems to make everything negative fade into the background.

 

• Hazelnut Coffee and French Vanilla Creamer early in the morning…

 

• Little notes and trinkets from my mom tucked away in a box of goodies sent to Little Man…notes that remind me that I’m never alone and that the distance is just temporary.

 

• Knowing that despite all of my flaws and bad days, I’m a genuinely good person and would never do anything to intentionally hurt someone or cause them problems.

 

• Sitting at the computer and pouring my heart out to my readers. Blogging is an outlet for me like I’ve never had before. I’ve always kept a journal, but the feedback and the “you aren’t alone’s” keep me going on the really bad days. I can’t express how much I appreciate the comments.

 

• Family tattoos that make my baby boy laugh and giggle like there is no tomorrow.

 

• Making real progress and headway on my first novel. 6,000 words in (which is the most I’ve ever done when I claimed I was writing a novel)

 

• Hearing my parents read to Little Man every night at bedtime. They bought one of those really awesome recordable storybooks and sent to him. He’s listened to it at least four dozen times and always says sweetly, “G’night Paw Paw. G’night Gran Gran. Ove you.” Melt. my. heart.

 

• DVR. Knowing that I can work through my shows (Hello, Revenge?!) and still watch them later during the week when I get a few minutes to spare.

 

• Being able to stand in the shower for long periods of time and knowing that my kiddo is playing safely in his room. While there are days that I miss the itty bitty baby phase, I do love that I can take a shower without having to leave the curtain cracked to watch an infant. He plays right there in his room down the hall without hesitation. And I get to stand there and soak up the warm water.

 

• Seeing the leaves actually change colors and the temperatures drop. It’s a REAL change of season. We are finally getting to experience Fall.

 

• Sneaking one of those long, really good kisses from my husband now and again. Just a quick gesture that reminds me (and him) that there is no one else I’d rather be with.

 

• Snuggling up with my husband at night…curling up beside him in our warm and cozy bed, and drifting off to sleep; knowing that when I wake the next day, he will still be right there.

 

• Being married to a man that doesn’t complain (too often) about taking out the trash or picking up dog poo. Seemingly mundane jobs, but I’d really hate it if I had to do them.

 

• Letting Little Man help in the kitchen and enjoying the silliness that comes with having him help mix brownies or dip the flour. It may be a mess, but watching that kid smile and laugh is one of the true joys in life.

 

• Tucking my big boy in at night and hearing him say, “Mommy. I love you disssssss much!” as he stretches his tiny arms out as wide as they will go.

No one ever promised that every day would be perfect.

No one said that life wouldn’t get in the way, throw us curveballs or leave us dealing with uncertainty, frustration and downright anger.

But on those days, I have to stop  to remind myself that there is no where I’d rather be and no one I’d rather spend my life with than my husband and my son.

That makes the bad days worth it.

And makes this whole life worth living.

What things have you found that make the bad days just a little bit easier to tolerate?