Keep on the Sunny Side...

It's a little... shall we say... "retro", but I can't help but have this song going through my head pretty frequently these days.  It speaks to me.

If you know me, you know it's been a crazy few months.  If anyone would have told me a year ago that this is what the next year would be like, I would have been skeptical. I would have maybe done some things differently, but probably not most of them.  It's been a roller coaster ride.  I used to like roller coasters. I don't anymore.  The literal ones or the figurative ones. But that's what it's felt like.  

There are still plenty of highs...  like when the kids are all asleep by 9...  or when we get to see friends... little boys laughing in the bathtub... movie night with the family... snuggles on Saturday mornings... weekend adventures as a family of 6... students who make me proud to be their teacher... the unexpected and humbling kindness of strangers...  the expected kindness of friends and family. 

And there are lows... Not always being able to meet every need of every kid at the moment I'm needed... disappointment... needles... insulin... sick kids... watching the news...  constant sleep deprivation... your 6 year old sobbing and telling you he hates his life now...  dwindling patience...

But they are all worth it, and are the things that make mamas (and dads) strong.  And sometimes even when  the sunny side isn't too bright. We will continue to be hopeful, we will continue to seek joy, and we will try to remember to always be grateful for the life we are living.

Well there's a dark and a troubled side of life

There's a bright and a sunny side too

But if you meet with the darkness and strife,

The sunny side we also may view

Keep on the sunny side, always on the sunny side,

Keep on the sunny side of life

It will help us every day, it will brighten all the way,

If we keep on the sunny side of life

Oh, the storm and its fury broke today,

Crushing hopes that we cherish so dear

Clouds and storms will in time pass away

The sun again will shine bright and clear

Keep on the sunny side, always on the sunny side,

Keep on the sunny side of life

It will help us every day, it will brighten all the way,

If we'll keep on the sunny side of life

Let us greet with a song of hope each day

Though the moments be cloudy or fair

Let us trust in our Savior always,

To keep us, every one, in His care

Keep on the sunny side, always on the sunny side,

Keep on the sunny side of life

It will help us every day, it will brighten all the way,

If we'll keep on the sunny side of life

If we'll keep on the sunny side of life

Songwriters: Ada Blenkhorn / Howard Entwisle

If you know me, you know it's been a rough few months.  If anyone would have told me a year ago that this is what the next year would be like, I would have been skeptical. I would have maybe done some things differently, but probably not most of them.  It's been a roller coaster ride.  I used to like roller coasters. I don't anymore.  The literal ones or the figurative ones. But that's what it's felt like.  

There are highs...  like when the kids are all asleep by 9...  or when we get to see friends... little boys laughing in the bathtub... movie night with the family... snuggles on Saturday mornings... weekend adventures as a family of 6... students who make me proud to be their teacher... the unexpected kindness of strangers...  the expected kindness of friends and family. 

And then there are lows... Not always being able to meet every need of every kid at the moment I'm needed... disappointment in people I shouldn't be disappointed in... needles... insulin... sick kids... watching the news...  constant sleep deprivation... your 6 year old sobbing and telling you he hates his life now...  snapping at your own kids who don't deserve to be snapped at after spending a day with other kids who used up my patience before my own kids had a chance to...

But they are worth it.  And sometimes even when  the sunny side isn't too bright. We will continue to be hopeful, we will continue to seek joy, and we will try to remember to always be grateful for the life we are living.