The Sea

I saw the sea today, but the sea did not see me.

So many years I've waited.

So many years I've feared this moment.

What would it feel like to fall into the icy blue that once sent my soul reeling?

I've dreamed of our reunion, the salty water, cleansing our wounds, washing away the sadness.

And there I was

Standing.

So close, I could see the sparkle of her waves.

And I stood.

I stood, unable to move, begging to breathe.

Joy, urging me forward.

Fear, demanding I stay.

Twisted and torn, I watched as the sea began her journey home.

MOVE.

STOP.

RUN.

RUN AWAY.

And I stood.

Just as it was, the sea returned.

My presence insignificant.

My dreams, just dreams.

I have learned

I Have Learned Silence From The Talkative,

Tolerance From The Intolerant,

Appreciation From The Ungrateful,

And Kindness From The Unkind.

In anger, I discovered what forgiveness means.

In frustration, I learned to wait a little longer.

In sickness, I learned to appreciate simply living.

I have learned creativity from poverty,

compassion from pain,

joy from sorrow.

In weakness, I found I was stronger than I ever imagined.

Strangly, I Am Grateful For My Teachers and each of my lessons, For They Have Made Me All that I am, and all they will never be...

(part of this is from another quote I found, that got me thinking on all the things I have learned from the things I've experienced in my little world)

Darkness and Light

Sometimes while walking through the forest, the darkness encroaches so slowly that you don't notice that it's there. Your eyes adjust to the lack of sunlight, you move forward, unaware. You never stumble or falter or realize that there is anything at all wrong with your travels.

And by and by the sun begins to rise, a sun you never noticed was missing. A flicker of light makes it's way between the trees, shining onto your pale and sullen face.

At first, you close your eyes, the light being too much to handle. You turn around and try to move away from it. It becomes hard to see. Your focus is lost. You are scared but drawn. You can't move or breathe or feel.

And the light gets brighter. . .

Your eyes begin to adjust to the way things should be. You remember what it was once like to see the details in the world around you. A familiar joy rises up within in you, beckoning your forward. You move faster and step closer anxious to continue to allow your world to brighten. You are chasing the sun, terrified of losing it again, of getting lost in the darkness, unaware.