Where is the sunshine?

     I'm so happy to be back writing! I have been MIA for a while now but am trying desperately to get back into the swing of things! This year has been a year of ups and downs for so many people and my family were not excluded. This past year our basement flooded which led to a total renovation through the house! It was not expected, not convenient, and not the best time in construction to begin this project. We lost my amazing Brother in-law Kevin this last year as wel

l. Even now writing this it brings tears to my eyes. He left behind a wonderful wife and his kids. Let me just say cancer sucks! Even while he was dealing with this illness, we were able to create so many wonderful memories as a family! We lost other family this year as well cousins and grandparents. We also had family struggles this year in many different areas! To put it short this year was the worst!

    While there were so many struggles, tragedies and difficult time there was wonderful things that happened along the way. There were weddings, there were birthdays, there were holidays and there were parties! Scattered throughout all the problems and struggles we face in life there are wonderful things that show up! Sometimes they are hard to see in that moment, but you can look back and see the sunshine that that memory gave you. I look at the trips with my brother in-law and his family that we went on and the memories that were made that will never be forgotten. The laughs and smiles in that time we were able to spend together. When my grandma passed away this year it was very hard, I had planned to go see her a few weeks before she passed but my family had all gotten sick. I didn't get to see her that one last time. My heart was broken. Even though I didn't get to see her, I still have memories from over the years that I can look back on. I have the memories of her talking about planting her flowers and her working in her gardens, I have the memories of her out taking care of their chickens and game birds. Those little rays of sunshine push through. 

     In this past year I have learned as difficult as life is we have to find that sunshine! I also learned without the rain you will never appreciate the sunshine. Right now, we are still in the winter season in the world as well as in life, but spring is on its way! I can see it and I can feel it! It's still cold but the sunshine is popping out more and you can feel it on your skin! I'm ready, and I know even with whatever comes there is sunshine!