Playing the Hand You're Dealt

This week has been a really, really, bad week with my migraines; and it's caused me to think a lot about the title phrase; which is really cliche at this point; but such a good statement, "Play the hand you're dealt".

I know that in the grand scheme of things; I have a FANTASTIC life; and as I mentioned in an earlier post; I am so lucky in so many ways. But that doesn't mean that my life is perfect. There are a few things in my life that are downright yucky.

The picture above is my grandmother, Vivian. Gorgeous, isn't she? I remember seeing this picture as a child and being quite disappointed when I looked in the mirror and saw my button nose and round face; and hoping someday it would morph into her high-cheekboned glamour! I can't say that it ever really happened; although as I get older I do see glimpses of a resemblance.

My grandmother was dealt some horrible circumstances in her life; most devastatingly; losing not one but TWO children in different horrid ways. But she never lost her sense of humor. She must have been so strong; I can't imagine going on living after losing a child, but she did; even having MORE children, including my mother, after the devastating losses. My grandmother died when I was 21; but not before she was able to meet my oldest child, Andrew. My last memory of her was her holding her arms out to hold him; sick as she was, she still bounced him on her knee and smiled at him.

She was a stylish woman in her youth, and carried that into older age; she loved to wear red lipstick and had a laugh you could hear miles away.

It's so funny; I hadn't intended this to be a post about my Grandmother at all; but after reading this article about overcoming adversity: http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/rising-above-adversity-the-amazing-story-of-jean-dominique-bauby/ I happened to see her picture and it all seemed to fit!

For myself; although my plight is not nearly as severe as ANY of the examples in the article, nor my grandmother's; I still am struggling with my health issues and trying to find a way to cope with them. I'll never stop looking for a "cure"; and my stubborn side refuses to believe that I will spend the rest of my life in pain. To that end; I've pursued many treatments; including massage (which I'm doing tomorrow), and physical therapy. I'm thinking it's probably time for a tune-up!

But, I have had to adjust the way I do things, as much as it irks me to have to consider limitations. For me, mornings are hard because I generally wake up with a migraine; so I've pushed all my obligations later in the morning or in the afternoon. I also am a night owl; but I've had to adjust that; and now go to bed no later than 11pm. Some part of me still considers it a personal failure every time I experience a migraine and have to rely on my husband or my son to take care of things while I'm laying down. I really hate that! But I have had to learn to rely on others, which maybe, just maybe is a blessing in disguise.

I often think of the Scripture that says, "In all things, give thanks". And it may sound weird, but I'm GRATEFUL for the adversity I've experienced, even on a small scale. Because it's made me a better person, and made me appreciate the good things in my life so much more. And maybe...that's worth it!