When we moved here isolation was a worry this turned out to not be an issue. The community embraced us. We worried about the conveniences. Guess what? The neighbor will loan you a cup if sugar (and sit down for a cup if coffee) if you need it. My mother used to say, “90 percent of the things you worry about won’t happen. It’s the things you don’t worry about that will get you.” The one thing we didn’t worry about was asthma. I learned asthma is a bigger bull to wrestle than not having a cup of sugar or a friend.

Spiritually, this had been the best six weeks thus far. Physically, there have been times where I literally thought I was going to die. I never thought my optimistic self would have to hear a doctor say, “I can understand why you would think that, but you’re going to be o.k.” That is something I would say but not need to hear.

If asthma didn’t hurt my sensibilities, the rash from an allergic reaction to one of the antibiotics did. What the heck is this under my skin and when will it stop itching?

And then guess what: last night was the first night I didn’t have one (let alone the usual five or six) asthma attack. Just like that, (insert a finger snap here) the tide changed. I awoke knowing and feeling that this particular fight is crescendoing. The dust is clearing and I’m still standing….not hunched over with my hands on my knees sucking on an inhaler, but standing straight and smiling.

The point of this particular blog being this my friends. Life tests us. It applies pressure to show us our true nature. For me the questions of this test were: Can I be uncomfortable and still be kind? Can I be in pain and still have that heart to serve? Can I cry and maintain my sense of dignity? Can I listen to my heart and get up when my body is saying give up? There may be some c’s or d’s on this report card, but I can say I do believe I passed this test.

The next time you are having a really hard time remember that it is probably a test. And, unlike school, life tests are do overs. If you don’t pass the first time, you will take it again in the future. So do what you know is right-not easy, not fair, not what your friends say to do. Do the right thing.