"Gratitude as opposed to greivances." Oh yeah.
You know what follows as well or better than I, but my mind turns to "root of bitterness" in Heb 12:15 in context-- the whole book of Hebrews being an exhortation to persecuted and suffering people to fully appreciate the eternal value of what they have in Jesus. The sermon climaxes in v. 28, where the readers/hearers are told, "Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken...")
"Kindred spirits" -- It's amazing how a clear glimpse of the fleeting nature of our life changes your sense of everything. Among the changes, you become much more grateful for little things. You become much more grateful for important things like the people around you. You become much more grateful to your Creator and your Redeemer. You laugh more easily, you cry more easily. I could go on and on.
Hang in there, Doc. I was trading emails with a friend from my '20's who faces some serious health challenges. She assumed because of the encouraging words I sent her that I must be in some sort of "mountain top" place. I told her, no, it feels more like endurance than mountain top. But we be headed for da mountain top.
Fascinating about your family situation growing up. I LUUUUV stories of redemption. People face so many struggles.