One drop of water

I have lived through some hard times in my life.  Times when I thought there was no hope.  Times when any improvement seemed so unlikely that I couldn't even imagine what it could be.

In the beginning I would sometimes despair to the point where I considered rash actions.

Looking back still gives me pause sometimes, but mostly now I can see that if I hadn't been there, I might not be here.  I sometimes amaze myself with my resiliency even if I can't see it except in hindsight.

I guess if I had a mantra for my life, it would be this, "This too will pass."

That got me through the biggest life change I ever had to make -- just barely.

Now, most of the time, those difficult times seem so far away I don't even really remember how awful they felt. But at the time they seemed like they went on forever.

The secret for me, is to grab hold of any bright spots as they fly by -- no matter how small, or how fleeting I know they will be.  On those days I am a thirsty woman in the desert, one drop of water seems meager, but I still scrabble for it.