Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone! I think of New Year's as a time to reflect on the past year and show gratitude for all that life has offered us in that time. After a lot of thought (ok, not so much as I'm reminded on a daily basis what I have to be grateful for), here is the list of 5 of what I consider the most important things I am grateful for this past year:

1. My amazing family. Yes, they may not always see things the same way as I, but they are there for me big time. This past spring, my father would drive an hour to pick me up, drive another 3hr round trip, and then drive an hour home, twice a week. Why on earth would anyone volunteer for this amount of driving? Because my father loves me and wanted to make sure I got what I needed, my IV drips. My mother also made this trip when her schedule permitted. They were planning a trip this summer, and because of my needing IV therapy and the way the pregnancy was going, they cancelled their trip. While I am saddened that they felt the need to do this, I am incredibly grateful, not only for this but for all the help they gave B and I to make it through the rough patches of the pregnancy. Not everyone has a family like this to rely on when the going gets tough, so for that I am incredibly grateful. I only hope that I can somehow repay them or pass the kindness on randomly one day. As for B, I am beyond words grateful to have him as a partner in my life. I can only imagine how stressful the pregnancy was for him, but he always was there to tell me not to worry, or to make me laugh.

2. My equally as amazing friends. Jeanne Endo has been there for me from the uncertain start to the equally as uncertain end. Jeanne would often spend hours with me on the phone after I returned from my many doctor appointments. She was my voice of reason at times when all reason seemed to fly out the window. Endochick, Jenny of AutoImmuneLife often checked in daily to see how I was doing and to provide a much needed lift of support. And of course I have all of my wonderful Facebook friends who would provide support and encouragement along the way.

3. I live in a country that has universal health care coverage. This has meant that my many illnesses haven't turned into financial ruin for myself or my family.

4. I have two wonderful children. Despite both being "medically complex", they are two vibrant individuals. J continues to grow and comes out with more surprising things each day. He has grown in so many ways this past year, I enjoy the person he is and is becoming. C's personality comes out more and more each day. I almost forgot what it was like when a child experiences their "first", such as the first smile and laugh. It's enough to melt the heart. And yet I am constantly reminded of just how lucky I am to have even been given the honor of raising these two souls.

5. Despite having some limitations on my abilities from my illnesses, I am still able to do many things.