If ...

My view on life is: I have survived the worst which means that though there are rough roads ahead, I know that in the end, I will persevere. Some people might say that I am asking for trouble by making that statement but I know the truth of it. I will never experience that complete loss of faith in myself and everyone around me again.


This blog was never meant as a diary, but it is one of sorts. The past few days, I have read through my posts with a more critical eye, aware of the numerous secrets hidden behind certain words. The most difficult and beautiful posts and comments were from my two year struggle with the motherhood decision, my worsening condition, the treatments, surgeries, the lengthy recovery, and the aftermath. I am once again amazed at the love and support I had during that difficult time. The people who essentially helped me survive that ordeal are the same wonderful loved ones in my life today.

I promise to be forthcoming about what is going on in my head, but for the moment this gal is feeling very fortunate. Words of wisdom that someone I love dearly and someone else that I highly respect both shared with me during a confusing time in my life.

If by Rudyard Kipling

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too:
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream---and not make dreams your master;
If you can think---and not make thoughts your aim,
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same.
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build'em up with worn-out tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings,
And never breathe a word about your loss:
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings---nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much:
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And---which is more---you'll be a Man, my son!