Release me from these chains...

A nice dinner and a enjoyable evening with a friend are no safety to the problems of the outside world.  The past year has been filled with family in and out of the hospital for a number of medical conditions.  One of them was released last week and today was rushed back again.  I keep asking myself, when will these trials of my mind, body and soul come to an end.

I get the impression from family that I am being perceived in a poor light for my need to function outside of the immediate crisis.  I spent many many years of my life being an Atlas with the weight of the world on my shoulders.  But I don't have the strength or resolve to continue in that role.  After all that my own life has been through this year, I need to be free of the burden.

You can't control what happens in this life.  But you can control how you let it affect you.  It has taken me a very very long time to learn this lesson.  I am determined to make sure that this new year is lived with this lesson in mind.