The Good Life

In the big scheme of things, I have a great life.

I’ve always had a roof over my head, food in my belly and lots of people who love me. Despite their not-so-nice divorce, I always knew that my parents loved me more than anything. I have two wonderful sisters who are smart and witty and gorgeous and who show me the kind of unconditional love that only sisters can show. I have aunts, uncles and cousins for days. I was lucky enough to have all four of my grandparents in my life and today, at age 32, I still have two of them. We are the kind of family that gets together not just at the holidays but random Saturdays just to have dinner together, summer bbqs, football watching on Sundays, and birthday get-togethers nearly every month because there are so many of us. And no matter how crazy we make each other, it's nice to have a family that is so loving and supportive.

My childhood was filled with birthdays that were always a big deal; parties, balloons, cake and coveted presents like a Cabbage Patch doll and a purple Huffy bike with the basket and handlebar tassels. My Easter baskets were always overflowing with candy and presents. And while we certainly weren’t wealthy, I can’t remember a year when we didn’t have a ridiculous amount of presents under the Christmas tree. I had swimming lessons every summer, clarinet lessons, family vacations, new clothes every year for back-to-school, and ski trips every winter. I’d been to Germany, France, England, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, the Bahamas and Mexico before I was 15.

For the most part, school came easily to me. With the exception of a few classes, I never had to study as hard as I should have. Even in AP classes, I didn’t put in the work I knew I should have and yet I did well. When it came time for college, I was accepted at my top school, a private university where the tuition was considerably more than some of my in-state choices. My parents always agreed that my education was a top priority so I was able to go the school I wanted to go to.

I’ve always had more friends than one girl deserves. And we’re not talking about people to just hang out with, but true blue friends. I have the kind of friends who drive you to school every day in high school because you don’t have your own car and you would rather make out with a rusty fish hook than set foot on the school bus. I have the kind of friends who give good advice and keep secrets; the kind of friends who tell me when an outfit is awful or a boyfriend is toxic – no matter how much I don’t want to hear it. I have friends who love me when I’m fun, outgoing, kind, charming and witty. And those same people love me when I’m grouchy, sullen, mean, and dull. They are the kind of people who show up to cook dinner, drink wine and spend the night when I find out my ex got married. My friends are the kind of people who make me laugh so hard that I tear up...or if it's really hilarious, snort. And my friends are the type who know, even when I don’t tell them everything, that I’m going through a terrible time and so they book a ticket to fly across the country to spend a week with me.

I’ve never had any major health issues; never had anything more than a fender-bender; lost my purse just once and but found it with all of the money and credit cards still there; won $500 at Blackjack the first time at the casino; have a great career with lots of perks; and have never missed a flight despite the fact that I’m always late getting to the airport. And as if all of that wasn't enough, I have nice hair and long eyelashes.

I write all of this down not to boast, but to remind myself of just how good my life really is. It’s so easy to forget all of the good stuff when life gets dark and gloomy. And believe me, I’ve become painfully familiar with the dark and gloomy...