How Will I Look Back On Today?

I was walking home from class last night, thinking about how it was probably one of the last days I could wear my flats this winter (yes, the snow is here! the Hunter boots made their appearance today!). 

But I was also thinking about my life right now and how I might look back on this chapter.

Will I think: Remember when we lived in our first place, that condo in Lakeview, and I was starting my business, finishing grad school, and nannying?  I was writing, reading, writing, not sleeping (much) and writing some more?  What a crazy, busy time!  But it all paid off because look at how great everything turned out.

Or will I think: Remember when we were young and just married a year and a half, and I made that big leap to quit my job and start a business, and you supported me?  Remember how I thought things would take off and I kept working at it, but it just didn't happen?  But that's okay because look at where we are now.

I'm hoping for a good outcome.  Ideally, I hope for a strong marriage, loving family, and successful career doing what I love... though from my two example scenarios above, I suppose they both end up just fine, just how they're supposed to.  I'm hoping I look back, and even if this period becomes "that crazy busy time" of my life, I can understand why it mattered and how it contributed to where I end up.

The thing is, we never completely know if life right now is a "high" or "low" of life (or a twisty-turny, complicated change of direction).  Sure, there are the very high points (graduations, weddings, babies, etc) and the very low points (illness, death, end of relationships). 

But what about the in-between points?  You know, it's all relative.  It depends on how each phase of your life compares with the next one.  Do things get better or worse from here?

Though this image is titled "Success," I think it could apply to life in general...
complicated, messy, unpredictable... and pretty amazing.
image via Makeunder My Life

Since the future is somewhat unknown and I'm not sure how today fits into my whole lifetime, I am doing my best to treasure each day, to see the good in the small things, and to remember that someday I'll look back on this time and smile... for better or worse.