Grateful.

I'm having a really bad day, but I don't want to talk about it. It's so easy to get bogged down with how bad things are and completely ignore the good things in my life. So, I decided to make a list of 10 good things in my life and all the ways I am grateful.

1. My wife. I feel happy/lucky/blessed to have someone who supports me through everything. Things have been rough over the past few weeks and she always steps up in more ways than I could ask. I especially appreciate all the shopping she does as I still don't have the stamina for a trip to the grocery store.

2. My mother's condition is treatable and follow up appointments yielded lots of favorable results. Once again, I don't have consent to disclose her condition, but I can say that my whole family is breathing a sigh of relief. The issue isn't resolved, but we have more answers and she has an excellent prognosis.

3. My sister. I talk to my sister a few times a week and it's a necessary mood booster. We also have very similar beliefs and morals, so if something is bothering one of us, it's easy to rant and release frustration.

4. My friends, especially Sophia, Susan, and Jamie. I think I've mentioned before that it's hard for me to ask for help and I like to do things for myself. Unfortunately, no matter how much I want to be the self-sufficient control freak, I am now facing challenges that require assistance and I'm grateful to have people around me that can help me when I need it. I appreciate all the help and support whether it was providing rides, company, information, reassurance, or advice.

5. My cane/crutches. Most of my problems lately have involved mobility and I'm grateful that I have my cane and crutches. Without them, I wouldn't be able to get around the apartment.

6. Betaseron co-pay assistance program. I'm back on the injections (boo!), but recently received confirmation that I have a $0 co-pay each month. Previously, I paid $50/month, so this is incredible.

7. Decaf coffee, peppermint tea, and baked potatoes. All three have made me exceedingly happy today.

8. Sleeping aids and techniques. Never underestimate the power of a full night of sleep.

9. Critical reading material. I mostly read online articles and love anything that challenges racist, sexist, ableist, sizest, homophobic, transphobic, and xenophobic aspects of society. I especially love having Facebook friends that link me to articles that keep my mind alive (though, I wouldn't mind not having things to read).

10. Health Insurance. I'm not sure what my life would be like if we didn't have health coverage. The coverage isn't perfect and I still pay a rather healthy amount out of pocket, but it's a huge relief to be able to go for care when I need it and not worry about footing the whole bill. We were uninsured growing up, so I know how detrimental the fear of medical bills can be on any family. I can't imagine going through all this without coverage.