Always Learning

I have so many thoughts swirling around in my head but can't quite seem to be able to put them into words. I've had lots of promptings and strong impressions lately to be thankful for what I have. I think I take things for granted a lot of the time. The things that sometimes frustrate me when looked at more closely are actually blessings. I'm learning to take the bad with good. Sometimes life sends unexpected surprises when we need it the most. 

For example, back before Riley and I met he had received a nice sum of money from his grandfather that passed away. Being a typical 20 year old guy he would have loved to have spent it on a new car, or vacations or some other cool thing but instead he tried to do something responsible and decided to invest it in a program that offered substantial returns. He was planning for his future. Months later he and many others in the Tri-Cities and beyond received the gut wrenching news that it had been a ponzi scheme and all their money they had invested was lost. They were told a trial would ensue that could take years, and not to expect to get much if any of their money back.

Fast forward to about a year ago, we heard from a representative of the case and they wanted to verify our address and information to ensure that Riley could get his settlement money when the trial ended and everything was finalized. They wanted to prepare us that becuase of the large amount of plaintiffs in the case,  the percentage of the inital investment money they would be getting reimbursed with would be pretty small. They gave us a rough figure and we thought it sounded pretty good actually. Not the full amount, but still only a few thousand off and we could definitely use the money. We waited and waited and never got anything in the mail. We kind of just gave up on it.

A few weeks ago after checking the mail, I saw an interesting looking envelope and knew right away what it was. I called Riley and excitedly opened the envelope so I could tell him the amount and read the attached letter.  Wouldn't you know it, it was waaayyyy less than even the rough estimate they had given us. We're talking, way way way less. It was pretty discouraging, heartbreaking really. But, we both decided it was lucky that any money came at all and it came at a time when we needed it and could put it to good use.

It's hard when life can be disappointing sometimes and I want things right at this very instant. It's hard playing the waiting game and being patient. I'm trying to be more grateful for what I have and what my life is like at this point in time.