I'm blessed . . .

Overall, it's possible (if not likely) that a reader of this blog might find it pretty depressing.  Those who don't know me might get the impression I'm wallowing in my current situation.  Not so.  While I'm at times depressed, at times discouraged, overall I am a very fortunate woman.

Unlike many similarly-situated women in a relationship with an active alcoholic, I'm financially independent, and have never, ever been physically abused by Al - nothing even near a threat.  He's not a boisterous drunk - the more he drinks, the more reclusive he becomes.  I've never had to put up with the financial deprivations or serious behavioral challenges with which many alcoholic family members have to contend.

Mamma and babies greeting me as I walked to work. 

I have a good job, one that's both challenging and satisfying (most of the time at least).  I'm generally respected at work, and have good, lifelong friends on whom I can count for solid advice or a virtual shoulder ("virtual" because sadly, none of them are close by).  I love to laugh, and love to make others laugh.  I walked to work yesterday, and got to take some time out to see some tiny baby ducks.

I'm grateful that I have faith - not (hopefully) an in-your-face kind of faith, but faith that gives me comfort that something is out there bigger than all of us.  My church community is caring, both towards me and towards Al, who doesn't exactly take to organized religion.  (In fairness, he's been pretty good to them, too, when he's able.)

My mother and father were loving parents, and my mother and I grew very close after my father died 30 years ago; although they're both gone, I celebrate the years I had with them, and feel that on some incomprehensible level, they're still with me, still loving me.  I have my health.

The list could continue for pages, but you get the picture.  Regardless of what has happened in the past, what's happening now, or what the future may hold, I am blessed.