I wanted to write a blog tonight but I kind of have writer's block. It could be because sharing myself and my life  is still a little difficult after this last battle. I started thinking about what one word would define my life. I think it would definitely be the word SURVIVAL. I don't necessarily mean that in a bad way. I think it is also rather interesting that one of my favorite "reads" is Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species – in his Principles of Biology.   Robin came to see me today and we went to the meadow and sat on the wooden bench by the river. We started discussing survival after stumbling on the topic of a survivalist we know and his "bomb shelter". We thought we would fair much better than city folks if an apocalypse would occur. We can shoot a gun, throw a knife, shoot a bow, gather food, etc. The gathering food floated into my mind because as we wandered down the dirt, rutted road to the meadow, black walnuts covered the ground along with the fall leaves. I was taught as a child how to get to the nut meat inside of a black walnut. My father also taught me how to make a fire by friction and mushrooming. I assured Robin I would not starve. I also think I would be a gather during an apocalyptic situation. I would not want to set back and wait. I would want to be out roaming and gathering, founding what is left, using it and rebuilding. So this brings me to a quote I saw on Pinterest tonight about hitting rock bottom and using that rock to build a new foundation, and that my friend would be a good description of survival. Survival is not given its due credit at times.  We think of "just surviving" as barely getting by when it is so much more. Survival is having the skills, lessons, and strength to endure hardships, attacks, and the hungry times. How do we learn to survive, by experiencing hard times and learning what it takes to make it through battles, lean times, attacks, natural disasters, devastating loss and disappointment. These set backs and lean times also teach us to be humble and appreciate and give thanks for the good times. If you want to do your children a favor, teach them about survival, teach them skills, let them fall, teach them to get up, and most important let them know that "rock bottom" gives  a person a foundation on which to build for a new day.