sacred spaces

It was the small spaces she had to carve out

The ones specifically meant for herself

A trip to the coffee shop

A stroll around the pond

A tiny alter deep inside her closet

It was these sacred spaces that she needed

To keep herself aligned

To continue moving forward

Merging together with another requires some thought

Care and attention to detail

The journey of each others hearts cannot be lost

They must be taken into deep consideration

She knew she had to create these spaces for herself

There are some things she cannot compromise on

And although he might not understand it

He respects this sacred ground

He is happy to see her smiling

Dancing around the room as if she were a child

This brings delight to both of them

As together they each soak in their own sacred space

forgiving the past

It was the past he was most determined to forget

Storing it under lock and key

Then throwing the key away

Hoping that it would stay hidden in the dark forever

She wondered what he was hiding from

Why he did not want to face it

She wondered what scars lay deep below the surface

Not given adequate attention to heal

She knew well the struggle it was to face the past

Accept the decisions that had been made

Choosing to forgive mistakes

Then step openly into the future

She knew the tug of war that went on inside of her

Before she opened up her own locked box

She was grateful she found the key

Amazed she had the courage

She knows it is his own battle to fight

But she just wants to see him happy

Free from inner demons

Smiling widely from deep inside

in between

She wanted to make a wish

Closing her eyes

Transporting herself to a different time

Another moment

When things were more settled

Her heals dug firmly in the ground

But she knew herself better

She knew that her wishes were only that, wishes

She knew she would have to go through the struggle

Take the difficult path

It was always that way with her

And she knew that

Along her journey she learned so much

Patience, kindness, love

Showing up and wearing her heart on her sleeve

She learned about being vulnerable

And saying she knew she just needed kindness

She learned how to speak from her heart

And now she stands in limbo

With half her life here

And the other half there

Dancing between the two

Placing her things gently

Not wanting to disrupt the flow of life

She knows how to blend into the background

She knows how to disappear

But this time things are different

He wants to know how she is feeling

He doesn't want to see her cry

He wants them both to be happy

She is no longer dancing alone

She no longer has to step into the darkness

Afraid of what will be waiting for her when she turns on the light

She comes home to someone

Who loves her and holds her close

And together they step into the future

forever

Forever

I looked the word up in the dictionary because I wanted to know what it meant

"Without ever ending, eternally, continually, incessantly, always"

"An endless or seemingly endless period of time"

That is what I found

That is what they say it means

But what I wonder is

Does anything last forever?

Is there anything we we can rely on, forever?

Should it even be a word in the dictionary?

Should it be a word ever spoken from our lips?

Is there anything in your life that has stayed the same since it began?

Anything that has lasted forever?

Everything changes

Ebbing and flowing with time

Seasons come and go

And so do people

We grow and learn

Never the same forever

Nothing is the same forever

Yet we toss around the world

Speaking it from our lips as if it holds power

But what power could it hold when we never keep the promise?

What ground does this forever word have to stand on?

What does forever really mean?

Gratitude

Feeling so much gratitude in my heart

Each and every day

Filled up to the brim

Love, kindness, laughter

Each of these things are a part of my daily life

They weave their way into everything I am doing

From the smallest task to the biggest decision

They show up

Ready to take on the world

These three elements guide me

Carry me safely on my journey

There is much I have to be thankful for

An amazing family that is always there for me

Great friends who hold up the mirror and don't let me stray to far off my path

Finding the love of my life and spending beautiful days together

Two wonderful jobs that I enjoy going to

A great apartment to come home to each and every night

Sunshine

Laughter

Smiles and tears

The ability to take adventures with creative souls

Conversations deep into the night

You wonderful individuals who show up here and support me

And the joy of having each day 

The list could go on and on

I am grateful

As I write this I am smiling from ear to ear

My eyes filling up with tears

I am so deeply blessed

Thank you

sharing my words

Today I am over the moon excited

I have had the honor to share my words in two other places today

I hope you will take the time to stop by and visit

You can find me over

here on Jen Lee's site

Sharing how I tend to my soul

And take time to listen to what my heart needs

Also my very first post on you

heART makes a difference

 is up

I feel so blessed to be a part of this incredible collaboration

There have been so many beautiful things  already, and we have just begun

The rain drops are falling from the sky

So curl up under your covers with your tea in hand

And come stop by and say hello

You know I love seeing you