by MLK weekend 2016 was the absolute lowest point in my marriage (to date). I was battling a painful kidney stone, severe constipation (TMI- I know), and trying to stay sane while taking care of a 3 year old over a long weekend without the help of my husband. He was hard at work prepping for a major partnership. I remember locking myself in the bathroom and crying from pain, exhaustion, and annoyance while my son tried to break into the room at the same time. I was so frustrated with my body and my husband for being absolutely no help when I needed him most. And the most annoying part was I saw no light at the end of the tunnel of my husband’s never ending work schedule.
Fast forward a year and life has changed significantly- thankfully!! We spent a wonderful weekend together as a family playing with friends, going to church, taking in a basketball game, enjoying ice cream, and playing at the park. Besides an occasional glance at his phone, my husband was able to be very present with us. We were all so relaxed and happy spending time together and enjoying unseasonably warm temps for January.
I am not sure that I would have recognized this past weekend as “so wonderful” if we hadn’t been in such a low place last year. It can be too easy to take “happy” life for granted when it’s the norm. But, whenever it’s in jeopardy, we learn to appreciate it so much more.
We (ie, me too) need to stop and be grateful for enjoyable time with family, happy times with friends, and always celebrate good health. Just like how much life has changed for the good in the last year, we need to also remember it can change for the not so good just as easily.
All of this serves as a reminder that the only thing constant in life is change. Next weekend could become the 2nd worst point of our marriage, or it could be the best family day ever. Life ebbs and flows. We have to learn to be grateful for the good moments and remember that in our lowest points, we will rise again.
For me, I will continue to be so much more grateful for the good moments and try not to take them for granted in the future. Life seems fuller and happier with that approach.
love, brooke
brooke's brain 
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