Flowers in the desert...

I am grateful for quite a few negative events in my life.

I am grateful for Hurricane Ike because it brought my family closer together and has taught us to let go of material items and focus on the people around us. It gave me the opportunity to help my family and friends and give back to my community. After the initial shock of losing everything, friends, neighbors and family started checking on each other and helping rebuild. We talked with neighbors we hadn't talked to in months. I was reminded of the power of love and how important people are because they can not be replaced.

I am grateful for my divorce because it has made me stronger. It has made me depend on family and friends to heal, laugh and love. It has made me depend on God for direction. I have become a stronger individual and have quit waiting for someone else to make things happen for me. I feel like I have truly started to live by making decisions based on what I desire in life. I am living in Honduras for a year, I travel, and I have become content with being single. Life is finally a beautiful, wonderful journey.

I miss my grandmother, but positive has come as a result of her passing. I am now closer with my dad's family than before. I met and reconnected with many family members who have become an important part of my life. I have also become closer with my aunt. I am thankful for my new relatioinship with Aunt Debbie because it is closer and full of love.

At the time of these events, I was not grateful. The thought did not cross my mind until much later that positive was blossoming in the midst of tragedy. I am grateful that God knows what we need and can make a flower bloom in the middle of sorrow.