The hardest thing that I have ever had to do was hold my Mother as she collapsed sobbing when she found out her twin brother and best friend died. He was 52.

I had happened to be home for my cousins baby shower, and my Mom and I decided to go out and pick up lunch for my brothers and sisters after the party. We were in the parking lot when my Mom got the news that her twin brother had died suddenly of a heart attack. She screamed and collapsed into my arms. I held her up, helped her into the car....let her talk to my uncles oldest son (he left 5 children behind, the youngest being 10) In the meantime, I called my husband, called my Father. My Father couldn't leave work.....I drove my Mom to my Grandparents house so that she and her sister could tell them that their only son had died. This isn't the sort of news parents should receive over the phone.

It was the hardest thing that I've ever had to endure. I was strong because I had to be. We loved each other through the pain. It changed me. We do not know how long we are going to be here. The time to be happy, to make the right choices, to tell someone you love them is always, right now. I know how precious out time is now. I know that living a healthy lifestyle is a choice that I can make that will give me the best chance of spending as much time with those that I love and those that love me.

I'm very fortunate that I haven't had many hardships in my life. The hardest things I've had to do were to put my dog of 15 years to sleep...taking her to the vet that last time and holding her while she died, and then leaving her body there...well, now I'm tearing up. SO HARD.

Also returning to work after having my 2 kids, especially the first one. Hearbreaking to leave him. And so frustrating knowing that money was the ONLY reason I couldn't stay home with him. I'd still love to be a stay-at-home mom, but I've realized that it's harder on me than on them and there is no other option. I realized it wasn't helping the situation mope around...I had to make the best of it, and I have!

I think the hardest thing I've ever done was complete a pretty intense fitness program a few years back. This was when I managed to lose about 20-25 lbs and it was definitely something I'm very proud of. It took half of year of workouts, reduced caloric intake, and determination. My trainer always pushed me very hard, to the point where at times I was made at him. But in the end, I know he did it for my own benefit and I'm very grateful to him. I have since gained a few pounds back and become a lot less active, so I want to get back to my goal weight on my own this time and prove to myself that I can be healthy and happy still.

I'm very fortunate that I haven't had many hardships in my life. The hardest things I've had to do were to put my dog of 15 years to sleep...taking her to the vet that last time and holding her while she died, and then leaving her body there...well, now I'm tearing up. SO HARD.

Also returning to work after having my 2 kids, especially the first one. Hearbreaking to leave him. And so frustrating knowing that money was the ONLY reason I couldn't stay home with him. I'd still love to be a stay-at-home mom, but I've realized that it's harder on me than on them and there is no other option. I realized it wasn't helping the situation mope around...I had to make the best of it, and I have!

just copying and pasting from my first attempt. not snacking on junk is proving to be pretty hard too!!!! Haha.