The best of times. The worst of times.

A few things happened recently that made me ponder how so often the best things in life are really hard at the same time. I ask my self why is that??
I was talking with some people recently about my grandfather's battle with cancer. He lived 8 months after he was diagnosed. Those 8 months were spent in and out of the hospital and at times so very sick from the chemo, yet I treasure those days so much. I look back and laugh at all the fun we had. Death came, but we walked the journey as a family. I miss Grampa Paul greatly, but the life lessons I learned from him are forever with me.
I have friend that was doing a report on the Ukraine so I was sharing some of what I had learned about the country from the times my sisters and brother-in-laws were there adopting. I was looking at some pictures from the Ukraine and this concept of the best of times and the worst of times struck me again. The times my family was over in Ukraine was hard. We faced some tough times in their journeys, yet I could not be more thankful for the addition of Harrison and Nadia to our family.
Why is the concept true? Is it true? I think I appreciate things more when it cost me something to have them. I think I give God more glory for things when I have to trust Him to get them.
So today I say thank you God for the best of times and the worst of times in my life. Through it all may I learn to trust God more and to ALWAYS give HIM the glory!!!!