Has this ever happened to you?

Yes. Sometimes you have to go through depessing times. or stages, to get to happiness. That's the only way I know how to explain it. Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger. If I am scared, I have to be sad for a while to prepare myself. I'm glad that you finally reached a peace and happiness stage. And yes, thank God. The Lord who gives and takes away. It's a good, no, great thing that he is in control. Take everything in life as a lesson.