I’ve lost a lot in my fairly short life, had things slip away because of chance or foolishness in myself or foolishness in others. However, I’ve held more in my hands than most people ever do. I have things that nothing in all of creation can take from me.

I shouldn’t be sad for long. My life is rich and blessed and always will be.

The sun shines, my flowers will bloom this coming spring, whatever garden they’re in. I have love of a sort that is not shaken. Beauty is always present, and is there to comfort us when we are willing to look up from our little sorrows and see it.

I have the love of my caring and understanding mother and father, my thoughtful sister, my encouraging brother, my sister who makes me laugh. I have the love of their sweet wee ones who draw their auntie glorious things in crayons to make her smile. I have the love of many aunts and uncles, and of my grandfather, with his odd humor and his matter of fact approach to life, and my grandmother, with her deep spiritual strength.

I’ve had hands I held slip from mine as well, but I know that I was loved. I know I loved in return. I know I am not the only one that wept. As for me, love is worthwhile no matter how it ends. So many people go through life and never really know it. They may not weep like I do, but I pity them. They miss too much of life.

I’ve held a lot, and known deep joy. I’ve lost much, and wept from my very soul. I’d not undo any of it. And, wherever my path leads, I will be alright.

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee.” Isaiah 26:3