This week the weather has been annoyingly beautiful. I say annoying because I’m ready for sweaters and hats and bugs to die. I’m ready to say goodbye to allergies and my head to finally feel normal. I’m ready for cozy. I’m ready for boots and warm socks…movie nights with blankets.
I’m ready for snow covered yards and hot cocoa with marshmallows. I’m ready for hibernation and cozy nights…I’m ready.
However, when I’m happy most are not…and when most are happy I am not. I don’t like sweating. I do not like the chaos of summer…I hate sunburns and bugs…and did I mention…I hate sweating?!
Tonight, I sat around with a group of people that I have known for almost a whole year…and my life is amazingly better because of it.
Life has still been full of trouble…we have all grieved together. We have Shared happy moments and some really scary times. However, when you have people fighting for you…you seem to go through life a little lighter.
No one would disagree that this last year and a half has been difficult. Our lives will never be the same…and there is still so much worry and fear and anger…but I think everyone that had close friends would agree that that is the only thing that pulled them through.
We as Americans, gained weight, moved, bought animals or became pregnant. We baked more than ever…and then ate what we baked. We did home improvement projects…and then more home improvement projects. We went camping and kayaking…and fished and hiked…and realized that after all that…we all just missed being together.
We bought all the things, went back to nature…and discovered that life without friends wasn’t really a life.
We have watched the younger generations struggle…suicide is up…because what we really all need…is each other.
Life is cruel and scary…I have friends suffering ..and dealing with enormous losses…and the only way to get through it is time…and people to help you carry your burdens.
Just knowing that someone knows my pain and cares about it gives me strength to keep fighting and trying to pull through.
I used to be a person who had given up on people…I just wanted my kids and my husband, a few family members and call it good. I didn’t need anyone…I wanted to just sit in the corner and lick my wounds. I had been hurt and lied about…and my trust was completely gone.
Then, a lady who was a customer of mine…who I really liked and who hugged me every single week at church (whether I wanted to or not) asked my husband and I to join a group she and her husband led. I would have never said yes except I knew she was the real deal. So I said yes…and the rest has been a divine answer to prayer.
Whatever side you are on ….whether you are the one being hugged or the one giving hugs. I hope you decide to give people another chance…that you would open your heart at least one more time.
Second chances sometimes turn out to be the biggest blessing of your life….
I have a second marriage, when I thought I would never love nor be loved again….and now we have second chances with friends…
There will always be annoying people that come across your path. They will say hateful things and mean things…and all I can do is…try to not leave others as others have left me…
The Reluctant Red Nose 