Happy Thursday! Yes, it is a good one for me. This quote from writer and poet Anne Bradstreet sums up my inspiration for the week:

If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.

So true! Spring is finally here to stay, and so are three very welcomed pieces of good news!

After a heart-wrenching loss for my Tarheels last year, this week they won the National Championship. It wasn’t pretty, but it was one fine display of toughness and determination.

After twenty years of ups and downs with writing and revising, my book’s “press kit,” (who knew it took so much to promote a book!) was created last week. This labor of love is finally becoming real!

And finally, and more importantly, I have GREAT NEWS for my Madison! After an epic fail with one program provider and a terribly disappointing birthday celebration, we found a day program and residential placement for Madison! Last week’s site visit was beyond impressive—the facilities, the program, the group home, and the forward-thinking spirit of the staff brought tears of joy for me at the new possibilities for my daughter. The transition process will begin in the coming weeks. I’m so excited!

Anne Bradstreet is right. The darkness of our winter moments set us up to appreciate more fully the brightness of spring moments when they finally arrive. We gain a deeper respect for the value of persistence, the experience of learning through challenges, and the affirmation that hard work and diligence can pay off.

Indeed, when we struggle with failure, success is so much sweeter.

How about you? What winter have you weathered? Have you discovered the bright side of dark experience? Tell me about it. I’d love to know.

My best–always,

Becky  (Nana B)

P. S. Still time to honor Madison or wish her Happy Birthday on her banner for our annual Pathfinders for Autism Golf Tournament. To donate, click here. Many thanks for considering it!

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