What if ?

This is my wish for you: Comfort on difficult days, smiles when sadness intrudes, rainbows to follow the clouds, laughter to kiss your lips, sunsets to warm your heart, hugs when spirits sag, beauty for your eyes to see, friendships to brighten your being, faith so that you can believe, confidence for when you doubt, courage to know yourself, patience to accept the truth, Love to complete your life.

- Theodore Roethke

This was taken the last night we were in our old house. The sight was truly stunning and I am glad I had the forsight to take a picture of it. This quote is a favorite as well, and I thought they went together seamlessly. There is good and bad in this life, no? There are ups and downs, exciting moments and heartbreaking realities. We welcome new life and lay to rest loved ones, and that truly is life.

This may be a little off the wall, but I feel like sometimes we highlight so much of only the good, even in this little blog of mine that was my conscious decision- to keep it positive, but I wonder if that is always good? How many of us have life altering decisions, bad days, bad years, losses, sadness, depression, heartache....? Do we continue to sweep that under the rug hoping maybe, just maybe we can wish it away? How many times does these troubles happen to people nearest us and we turn a blind eye? I turn a blind eye? I have just been dealing with the facts- I need to get my head out of my own little life for a while and maybe try to help lift up someone else, maybe help someone, love on someone, encourage, hug or even cry with a hurting soul. What are we if we can no longer have a pure and honest wish for another like Mr. Roethke's quote sums up? ...and yet, even typing this I struggle with hitting the publish button...why? Because it is not popular. Because it is not a fun topic. Because it is too real?

The reality is, if I had not received this kind of love and kindness from people who were not afraid to step out of their "comfort zones", I don't know where I would be today. Know this- those selfless actions made a difference. I am forever grateful. We don't have to look very far at all to find someone who needs a friend, not these days. Let's encourage each other to be a friend, a shoulder to cry on, a listener- a whatever we need to be- to someone who needs lifting up?! This life is to short for us to leave without trying to make a difference.

...don't worry, the pictures will come, the diys will follow, the day-to-day goings on will continue along with inspirations, but I needed to get this off of my chest and I am thankful I have the ability and freedom to do so, and to live in a country that embraces that freedom. Thanks for baring with me, thank you for all your daily love, encouragement and loveliness.