Today I found out someone I care a great deal about is losing her great grandmother. I have watched all of my grandmothers leave this world, unable to cling onto the ones they love most... their granddaughters and grandsons, their own children.... their "familiar loves". It breaks my heart, knowing now that I'm on the flip side, never going backwards to the place where unconditional, loving embraces wrap around, hold and protect and where life holds a certain untouchabe innocence.
I also know that I have several friends whose lives are at a crossroads. And as much as I would LOVE to try diving in and rescuing them... I know they have to go through the fire, to a certain extent, alone. Unable to hang on to any one else's securities. Unable to hold onto hands to pull them out of the quagmire. They have to somehow figure out where to go from "here". Like we all do when life throws its curve balls and road blocks our way.
We can support and love and encourage each other, but basically, we each have our own paths to walk.
I remember once, I was so worried about one of my sons. So I called my mom, asking for advice. I'll never forget her saying that we are all on our own path, all of us walking our own journeys, even though we share the same space. No matter how hard I try, I can't shelter my own flesh and blood from the frailties and the pitfalls of "life". I can't keep them from experiencing pain or failure, trauma, disappointment. I can try to soften the blows, lessen the punches. But basically, there comes a point where I have to surrender and trust that they are strong enough, capable and very much able to rise above. We all come out on the other side. Somehow. Even when it feels like we'll never be able to inhale again without help of some kind.
I'm inspired daily. By those who could easily stop trying. By those who could choose to give up on life, on themselves, on love..... but they somehow manage to find a way to pull up their bootstraps and show the rest of us how to be brave.
I'm feeling blessed by life's tragedies and how they are sometimes the most powerful ways to find connection and common threads running through our lives. Threads that tie us together, weave us into something better, more beautiful.
"Cheers" to a brighter day. And may we all be lucky enough to recognize the pearls that can be dusted off through hardship and trial.
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