Keeping life’s challenges in perspective makes rough year bearable

“You had a tough year,” a friend said last week. “I’ll bet you’re happy to see it end.”

He was right, I suppose. Part of me was glad to watch 2014 fade. The Smiths had their share of challenges.

Daughter Amelia endured 14 surgeries and spent more than 40 days in the hospital in a fight against an MRSA infection in her hip. After a decade of medical issues, from brain and spinal cancer to her latest marathon against a surgical infection, she’s endured more at 18 than many people will experience in a lifetime.

So the short answer was, yes, at times 2014 was damn difficult. But how can I complain?

Although you might not know it from watching some of the cotton candy entertainment on television, it’s hardly breaking news that real life is a challenge. I have a daughter who beats the odds every day.

We know we are luckier than many. For one, we have been given the opportunity to fight. If you think that isn’t a grand gift, you’re not looking at it the right way.

Take a moment to consider the families of the two Metro officers who were executed this year by a pair of mentally addled misanthropes. All those families involved have been rocked to their foundations by an act of inexplicable insanity. Next time you think life has let you down, think of them and be humbled.

While you’re at it, pause to contemplate the anguish felt by the families of the many other Southern Nevadans killed by senseless gun violence, impaired drivers, preventable disease, drug overdose, and maybe you’ll begin to see your own troubles in a new light.

Truth is, there’s more to a tough year than simple statistics. Most of us probably had a difficult 2014 in one form or another. With the economy in recovery but still sputtering, I have plenty of friends who were staggered by job loss and burdened by financial setbacks.

And it’s not as if we had Sunrise Hospital and University Medical Center to ourselves. At times the places were packed to the rafters with fellow Southern Nevadans who were also traveling their own rough road.

Through it all, we met dedicated physicians and nurses whose professionalism makes a lie of Southern Nevada’s reputation for mediocre medical treatment. Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Fred Redfern doggedly went after Amelia’s damaged hip. Infectious disease specialist Dr. Ronald Shockley was at her side, too, as was plastic surgeon Dr. Richard Baynosa. Add timely insight and assistance from physicians Neri Blanco-Cuevas in Las Vegas, Anthony Rhorer in Scottsdale, Ariz., infectious disease specialist Michael Palestine in Santa Fe, N.M., and several others, and we had plenty of experts in our corner.

Our nurses are Amelia’s favorite people on the planet. The nurses at Sunrise helped her through long days and nights, and the wound care nurses at UMC were as kind as they were consummately professional. We’ll see them again soon.

As always, we’ve relied on family and friends to get us through difficult days. Truth told, at times they’ve carried us. How could we not be eternally grateful for such kindness?

In that light, our 2014 wasn’t bad at all. In fact, it was a year worth celebrating.

Amelia’s struggle will continue in 2015. We know that. But we also know we won’t be traveling the path alone. And we are honored to be among those fortunate enough to carry on.

So here’s to a healthier, more prosperous 2015.

May you be blessed to fight your good fight wherever it takes you, and may an enduring sense of gratitude never leave your heart.

John L. Smith’s column appears Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Email him at Smith@reviewjournal.com or call 702-383-0295. Follow him on Twitter @jlnevadasmith.