(photo/painting from Liz Angeles, found here)

Have you ever had one of those months/weeks/days where you feel proud of yourself that you kept your head above water, but when you look toward the horizon - landfall is still pretty far away? And the water is very deep? And you know in the coming months/weeks/days there is going to be a lot of water up your nose, coughing and that terrible pain when the water goes up your sinuses?

It's during times like these I force myself to take stock of my blessings and think of them – mantra-like – until I can breathe deeply, without the threat of large volumes of water going up my nose.

Here's what I make myself think about when my worries threaten to take me under:

• One perfect white zinnia I saw inexplicably blooming in a bed of dead-for-the-winter summer perennials.
• Catching Emmy whispering to her doll baby - "It's okay, little baby, it's okay. I got you..."
• My dog Suzy, when she sighs so contently as she puts her head in my lap for some evening TV.
• Seeing Thomas cradle his sister like a baby, comforting her when I can't, because she's gotten in trouble for something.
• How my husband does laundry, cleans the bathrooms and cooks for me on weekends.
• I think about other children out there, suffering or sick, and am so thankful and humbled that my children are safe and sound for now, tucked in their beds, sleeping peacefully, with no worries.

Suddenly, I see calm waters and a horizon. And there's a beautiful sunset.