2015 was a pretty rough year for our family. A miscarriage, several relationships ending in painful ways, etc... Our motto coming in to 2016 was "Well... it can't get any worse!". Our hubris was 'rewarded'...
In February, my wife was admitted to the hospital, 25 weeks pregnant with twins, because one the babies was not getting enough blood flow through the umbilical cord. The doctors were hoping to get another week or two before his condition deteriorated to the point that delivery was necessary. Things did not go downhill as quickly as expected, and we were able to put off delivery by two months, to 33 weeks (technically one day shy...). While this was a huge blessing, it still meant my wife was in the hospital for two months, leaving my as a 'single parent' of our three year old, while still providing the support my wife needed (spending two months in the hospital is pretty rough on anyone, let alone someone coping with the stress of a high risk pregnancy).
Our sons were born 7 weeks early, weighing 3 lbs, 14 oz, and 1 lb, 13 oz. The bigger one spent three weeks in the NICU, and the smaller one was there for almost two months (coming home just before his original due date). So, at one point, we had a three year old at home, a newborn at home, and a newborn at the hospital (and my wife still recovering from a c-section).
Everyone is doing well now (the little one is lagging behind his 'little' brother (younger by 1 minute), but still within the normal range, and on the right trajectory).
So, my greatest accomplishment was managing to set aside more or less any concern I had for myself and spending every waking minute, for four months, either working or taking care of a family member. In the process I learned just how fortunate I am that, generally speaking, I have a tremendous amount of freedom in how I spend my time. Being in a position where every moment is consumed in the care of others is exhausting, both physically and emotionally.
Our motto for 2017 is "It'll be what it is"... (why tempt fate again?)