be part of life's rich tapestry

• be part of life's rich pageant
• be part of life's rich pattern
• be part of life

be part of life's rich tapestry

1. (figuratively) To be one of the many experiences, both good and bad, that make up a full and complete life.
   • 1997, Arthur R. Ankers, Sussex Cavalcade, page 1:

     Human interest is not only confined to people who were outstanding in English history and literature; it extends to half-forgotten people who made little or no impact on the course of history and yet whose lives and work were part of life's rich tapestry and may still be so, if only their 'simple annals' can be recovered.

   • 2012, Sandra Heath, Shades of the Past:

     “It's part of life's rich tapestry,” he murmured, and then looked at her and sighed.

   • 2015, Graham Allcott, How to be a Knowledge Ninja:

     This isn't faint of heart and shouldn't be a trick you practise regularly, but a little bit of exhilaration and the occasional late night are fine; I'd argue that they're part of life's rich tapestry of experiences and are to be celebrated.

   • 2017, Nancy Charley, The Sea Changes, page 179:

     For her, difficulties were part of life's rich tapestry and there to be surmounted or walked around; difficulties which included raising four children whilst being afflicted by paralysing bouts of multiple sclerosis.

   • 2021, David Reisman, Ideology: Conservatives, Liberals and Socialists, page 68:

     Disparity is part of life's rich tapestry.

• Most often used as a consolation for bad experiences, as an attitude of acceptance that puts the negative into perspective.
• Often used with all: be all part of life's rich tapestry.

• “be part of life's rich tapestry”, in Cambridge English Dictionary, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire: Cambridge University Press, 1999–present.