Lucky

I spent a large part of this week talking about cuts to Tax Credits. I’ve published posts on this blog about how the cuts will affect us, and how they will affect single parents in general.  I was quoted in the Observer last Sunday, and I appeared on Good Morning Britain.

It’s a serious story, and I wrote some serious words about it. But I don’t want that to be what this blog is all about. Yes, serious stuff happens, and yes our lives can sometimes be tough. But aside from the fact we can’t afford nice things, we have a good life. We are happy.

Actually, I would consider myself to be incredibly lucky. I read a blog post recently, where the writer mentioned having a “Sliding Doors moment” – a glimpse of what her life may have been like, if she hadn’t split with her ex partner. For me, a Sliding Doors moment would be more like a nightmare. 

There are so many other situations I could easily have found myself in – situations much worse than being short of cash. We are safe; we have a roof over our heads. And we’re happy. We really are.

I’ve survived a nervous breakdown; night after night, lying awake feeling like the pain of this mental torture would never end. I’ve survived an abusive relationship, a traumatic pregnancy, a premature birth, two weeks in hospital with a tiny baby. I survived coming home with that tiny baby and caring for her, alone and petrified. 

Each of those situations could have had a different ending; none would have been pretty. I am so lucky to be where I am now. Not only have we survived; we have thrived.

We have a good life. S is happy. We have plenty to be happy about. We are free to do as we choose; we answer to nobody. We go out when we like, stay in when we like. We share a bed and sing songs and dance together. Life is sweet. We’re very lucky.