My sister and I have become accustomed to hearing these words from my mother when relaying situations to her. Often, it would frustrate us. I mean things were happening to us and they weren’t good things! I got a screw in my tire and instead of a free patch, I ended up with an $800 bill for 4 new tires. I griped about the expense. My sister had an early morning presentation at work and also had to stay late for a special meeting. She complained about being exhausted. Time after time, with work issues, relationship problems, traffic complaints, and more, my mom has the same words.

Recently, I’ve started to see the wisdom in those words that used to bother us. There are so many people that are unemployed, lonely or down on their luck. Suicide, divorce and unemployment continue to be on the rise. With everything going on in the world, I’m grateful for the job that I sit in traffic to get to.  I’m thankful that I have a paycheck to pay for bills and unforeseen expenses.  Where would I be if I had no friends or family to possibly have issues with?

So, yes mom, I’m grateful things are as well as they are.