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As I sit here on the last September 18th I will spend in my 30's, I find myself taking stock of my life.

I have more debt than I ever wanted/expected. I need a new fence for my backyard. My front living room windows need replacing. My oldest child needs therapy, not mental, chemical dependancy. My only daughter received her first kiss last night, and as a result, my husband's guns are all freshly cleaned and he is now out pricing blow torches. My youngest child is taller than me, and I am not a short person.

There could be a lot to whine about. But in the bigger picture, things are okay.

I am over 18 years into a very successful marriage to the best man I have ever known. My mortgage is current. My husband and I are both gainfully employed. My job is challenging and some days, exhausting... but for the most part, I really enjoy it. My husband will never again leave us to serve his country. After over 20 years, 3 of it spent deployed to war zones, my husband is retired from the military. We survived that. All of us. Together.I have two golden retrievers and one tabby cat that are well behaved, well trained and well loved.

I have more to be thankful for than I have to whine about. And that, my friends, is a successful life.