Birthdays!

This week is full of birthdays. Denver, Laur, Kim... All in a neat little row. I love each of these people in such different ways.

I love watching Denver grow into who he's going to be. He's such a bright enthusiastic young man.

I love Laur in a sisterly, "love you just because" kind of way. Time and space doesn't change the fact that she's still shaping my world.

And then there's Kim.... I can't imagine my life without her. She's been my best friend since second grade. She's my refuge when the world gets crazy. She challenges me and builds into me. she loves me unconditionally.

I'm so blessed by all three of these wondrous people. What a week to celebrate!

The Art of Healing...

It's funny to me how one simple act or choice can destroy years of hard earned relationship. Someone you have trusted with your heart for decades can turn against you in a moment. Nothing on earth hurts more than having your emotional security blanket yanked out from under you. These are the things that leave scares for life and in some cases, open wounds that never heal. People heal at different paces I suppose. I know I for one am still fully damaged by the course things have taken over the last few years. So many different forms of loss and hurt... I am less forgiving than some, and more forgiving than others. I'm trying to rebuild wherever possible. I'm not as open as I used to be. I protect my heart in a crusty shell I've built for it. I measure my words. I guard my thoughts. I am slow to love. Even slower to trust. Yet that is my journey. I would never for a moment tell someone else how to feel. It would be as useless as assuming we all grieve in the same way at the same time. How foolish! Who could ever heal like that?