Not cursed.

Have I had one thing after another to deal with? Absolutely. Some of it pretty horrific. Some of it going on right now.

But I'm still here. And by the grace of God I've made it through to the other side each and every time.

I could make a list of all the horrible things I've been through, but I prefer to make a list of the many times I have been faced with pain and illness and loss, and I made it through. It's the making it through and moving forward part that I've learned to focus on. I had to learn to see my own strength and resiliance; otherwise, I just stayed mired in my own hopelessness.

So I choose to see my strength and resiliance through those difficult times as a blessing. That perspective doesn't invalidate the pain and struggles, but it absolutely validates my inner strength and ability to persevere.