Those that demanded the absolute most of me, to the extent that I didn’t know I even had it in me, grew me the most.

I am sort of at a loss for any humorous analogies for this one. Not because the hardship endured or the honesty demanded left me sullen and bleak. Heck, that is what a great time looks like on this old stoic’s kisser.

Well that lasted about one sentence.

I am fortunate to have undergone tests such as those. I am filled with gratitude for being given the opportunity to experience life in some very painful ways and days. Months. Years, Decades.

Ultimately, it helped reveal to me who I can be and should be. Because in the end, that is who I am. It is how I came to be.

And you know what?

The tests are far from over. Nothing you can study or prepare for. They are simply on standby to take their turn when the time comes.

And me?

Not gonna be on standby. On call. Or on edge.

Just gonna live. In the here. And now.

One thing I know for sure.

It wasn’t just me before.

He was right there all along.