…and I am so happy!

I am not saying that my life is already perfect. No, it’s not even close to being perfect. And I do not think that time will come that things will be absolutely seamless.

But growing up, I was made to believe that life needs not to be perfect to derive pleasure from.

Now, I appreciate every blessing and try hard to look right through those negativities. Or most of the time, I try to justify how lucky I am compared to other people who are in tighter spots.

Why am I blessed?

There are just so many people who continue to love me despite my shortcomings. Time came when ‘trust’ has become an issue for me, and I started to question the sincerity of all people around me. Even with my family. I thought everyone would hurt me. I know I was too hard to deal with during those times. I became aloof and indifferent, and I never dared to open up. I was still the same bubbly person that I was, but I kept so many things private, especially my emotions. But there was a bunch of people who did not leave me despite everything I was going through. They were so patient to understand and to let me be on my own without giving me the feeling that I was alone. When I saw them again after the longest time of not seeing each other, it was a nice feeling to be assured that I still have them. True friendships stand the test of time and distance. I am glad that even if we did not get to talk or to chat or to exchange messages, when we saw each other again, it did not feel awkward and it did not feel like we’ve been apart at all.

I am blessed to have a father who loved my mom unconditionally. My mom would agree with me if I say that she was a HARD wife to deal with. Yeah, she was aware that she was giving my father some tough times then. But my father never gave up on her. I have seen one instance when all people turned away from my mom, but my father was there to assure her that there was nothing to be ashamed of and there was nothing to be anxious about. If only I could share the details vividly here. I was never close to my father, but that very instance  drew me near to him. I started to love him as much as I loved my mother. I am a self-confessed PAPA’S GIRL. I would not hesitate to admit it. I love him, and I know how much he loves me, too.

My brother also never failed to make me feel blessed and fortunate. We may not agree on so many things, we may annoy each other with our behaviors, but we will love each other no matter what. I know that he will always want to protect me from harm.

My kids also serve as constant reminders of God’s love for me. They are truly my bundles of joy. I will be always more than willing to give up my all for them. During our first few months here in Bahrain, I felt sad and lonely to be just ‘caged’ inside the house all day long. But spending every second of my life with my kids are just so worth it! Even if they give me some terrible head, body and (sometimes) heart aches, still I will be truly thankful because I was endowed with kids whom I will love and cherish and take care of till I am six feet under the ground.

My marriage with my husband is not at all perfect, but still I can say that it is one of the greatest gift God has given me. I know I wasn’t able to get a hold of the most ideal guy in the planet. But everyone has their own share of imperfections. I also understand that he is not a saint, and so it was understandable if he messed up with some devil at a certain point in his life (no pun intended… it surely is a devil!). We still have our bouts of fights and disagreements which sprung from trivial and petty matters which were blown out of proportion. But you see, marriage is a life-long commitment requiring a lot of hard work. It will not grow and flourish if you just let it stand on its own. Now, I am very happy for having a partner whose goal in life is parallel with mine. I am so much graced with all the love he has been showering upon me. Life will not be any sweeter without him around.

So this has been a long post. Well, I think it’s still relatively shorter if I were really to contemplate on all the reasons why I am blessed.

I am blessed, and I am genuinely happy. I know this is the kind of happiness that will not leave me even if I go through some problems in my daily existence.

I Am So Blessed

by Carla Branch

I am so blessed!

Freely your love comes

Holding nothing back

The times so sweet

Constantly desiring more

I am so blessed!

Pure, simple love

Little things most cherished

Overjoyed by those acts

You view as normal

I am so blessed!

Special moments, little secrets

Insignificant to others

Meaningful to us alone

Practically our own little world

I am so blessed!

The same things enjoyed

Laughter comes easily

Joking frequently

Loving perpetually

I am so blessed!

Stumbling occasionally

The hurt forgotten

Forgiven always

Unconditional love