“I will love the light for it shows me the way, yet I will endure the darkness because it shows me the stars.” – Og Mandino
Light gives me this soothing feeling of warmth that seems to energize my soul. Even on those frigid days, when walking with the sun’s rays bathing each of my steps, I feel new life coursing through my veins.
Funny, I can also recognize that I’ve had similar feelings while navigating through the darkest moments of my life. It seems that even in darkness, the glimmer of hope and the faith from within seem to conjure an energy and force that propels me forward so I can overcome. In the end, life brings me to a new place of wonder, maybe not the same as before but just as rewarding.
Embrace the light and the dark to find balance and your inner strength.
“In the right light, at the right time, everything is extraordinary.” – Aaron Rose
In life we look at an event and think, yes that was when God’s light was shining down and life was in alignment. Think back though, this is not always the case. Sometimes when things seem dark and bleak, our lives change through adversity but for the better.
Our plans, desires and dreams may seem perfect, but not attainable. Keep an open mind and don’t rebuke the dark paths we must travel. Growth and understanding, are sometimes the fruition borne of darkness.
Our family was created by God’s image of perfection. While living through two miscarriages, I had no idea the deep relentless heartache would be replaced by the joys of raising our two adopted beautiful daughters. They are symbols of God’s love and light. Darkness bore beautiful fruit.
“Give light and people will find the way.”
When we encounter each other, it’s difficult to know or understand each other’s journey, their highs and lows. Knowing this, I want to shine from within, maybe in this way I can ignite another’s candle that’s in need of a flame. This is my goal.
May we be each other’s beacon especially in such difficult times. The pandemic has cast a shadow that we must vanquish. Growth can be the outcome if we can be each other’s light.
“Some people are so much sunshine to the square inch.”
Learn from those that always shine, for they are the teachers that will change the world. I’ve been touched by people like this, they are truly gifts. People like this inspire me, they make me feel like this is attainable.
They’ve transcended fear and instead dance in the face of adversity. This is the true meaning of balance.
“Faith is the virtue of the storm, just as happiness is the virtue of the sunshine.” – Ruth Fulton Benedict
Faith is the virtue of the storm. To always know things will get better. We must not fold or lower ourselves into the darkness. Instead, stand firm, search for the glimmer of hope and light. If we can do this, the light will follow.
Love is universal, powerful and life’s nourishment. It provides us with an energy and a joy that can dispel loneliness, sorrow and despair. Valentine’s Day is a perfect day to reflect on this further.
There are so many faces of love. A parent’s love, new love, love of a friend, a child’s love and self-love just to start. Each different in its own way, but just as special and powerful.
A Child’s Love
Is love instinctive for a baby or child? I think it is. I remember my older daughter placed in my arms for the first time, and inconsolable. Her body wracked with tears. Unending sobbing. Then just as it started, it stopped. She quieted down and as I held her and patted her back, I felt her little tiny hand patting my back.
I couldn’t believe this beautiful child, feeling such heartache, felt our love and reciprocated it. Maybe I was naive or just not around young babies to know they have this amazing instinctive understanding of love.
When my husband and I returned from China we experienced more of these shows of love. As we walked in to wake her each morning, she’d stand in her crib with her arms outstretched, waiting for the first hug of the day. My husband and I would race to be the first one through the door so we could be enveloped in and return the love.
While in the bath, she’d be playing and then just stand up, stretch out her arms and give these wonderful wet hugs. Her love was constant and it was like food for our souls after praying and waiting for years for this blessing. God was showing us his love for us and our child.
Palm of His Hand
We adopted our younger daughter before her third birthday. From the beginning we understood God held her in the palms of his hand. Her capacity to feel and give love to this day seems to transcend the norm.
Our little girl only knew the orphanage. Taking her beyond those walls was jarring and threw her into an emotional state. Her only way to let us know her suffering was to cry, and that she did. This time around, we had experience with a child so we used our tools. We hugged, joked, laughed, cajoled, and coaxed our forlorn child. Nothing helped.
My husband then started playing with plastic cups and behold, our break through. Our daughter’s eyes lit up and she showed us her beauty and soul. A smile that I hold dear to my heart, spread across her face. This smile full of surprise, wonder, joy and love.
Her Heart Hears the Children
While out and about in China, Rayna pointed to children and cried. Not being around too many adults, she bonded with other children. She continues to be perceptive and connected to children’s feelings and is filled with compassion for them.
After being home a few months, she started school. The teachers shared how each day she consoled any crying child. To see another child suffer was too much for her. Her empathy is apparent; she seems to feel what others feel.
Sometimes when speaking with her, she’ll gently place a loose strand of hair behind my ear, always so tender. This last week, as a surprise, she played calm meditation music on my phone. I returned to my office to find this peaceful music playing. I asked her about it and she explained she felt my stress so she wanted me to feel peace.
She is filled with this innocent, protective, gentle love. It’s pure and simple. I believe her early experiences are forever with her and impact her present actions.
Parent’s Vision
As a parent, I now understand my parent’s so much more. God blesses us with small miracles. We care, teach and love our children to the best of our ability. Because of this we hurt when they hurt, feel their disappointments and their joys. We love them with every ounce of our being.
And how we worry. We worry about their health, schooling, and future. We want to shield them from all hardships. Of course that isn’t reality nor is it healthy. They must fly with their wings and find their way even if at times this means overcoming hardships, sorrows and failure.
Owen and Mzee
How many times do you hear or read of amazing animals? Do you know the story of Owen and Mzee? Owen, a baby hippopotamus separated from it’s mother, stranded on a reef, too weak to move is rescued. He is placed in an enclosure with a 130 year old tortoise, Mzee.
Owen immediately goes to Mzee. Mzee doesn’t want to be bothered. Each time Mzee moves, so does Owen. By the following day, Owen and Mzee accept each other.
Owen won’t eat. Mzee eats next to Owen as though teaching him how. This odd friendship/love saves Owen.
Is this instinct? I believe it’s a special kind of love. It heals and is full of power, energy and possibilities.
Souls Connected
Love comes to us at different times. Once you find a person to love, you feel as though you walk with an extra step, the world is a little brighter and things all seem to come together at once.
When you’re apart, you miss your companion and your heart aches. You’re constantly thinking of one another. Such comfort and familiarity, to know and understand someone so well you can finish their sentences.
Life and everything else all align. It feels as though two hearts beat as one.
The years go by and love changes. Trials and tribulations beat against the strong foundation you’ve built together. This is your power over loss, sickness, job changes, family woes. It weathers all storms. You just need to continue to see the good in one another and remember the connection, two hearts beating as one. Do not doubt your partner’s goodness and love. Trust in one another.
Remember all the insecurities, shortfalls and blemishes that were present when you dated – we’re human, we all have them. Instead of picking each other apart you chose to raise each other up to higher levels with love. She saw a gentle hero and that is what he became. He saw a kind, peaceful calming soul and that is what she became.
Maybe weathered but the love that is powerful, miraculous and forgiving endures.
Self-Love
To love another, you must first love yourself. Sometimes we concentrate on loving everyone else, and forget our self. You must remember to yourself. You are one of God’s miracles to be nurtured.
Conclusion
I could not finish this off without including Bible passage. There is so much being said here. Read it, think about it and live it.
1 Corinthians 13 – If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.For we know in part and we prophesy in part,but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears.When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
“I miss the snow. I miss looking at it, walking in it, tasting it. I used to love those days when it was so cold everyone else would be tucked away inside trying to stay warm. I would be the only one out walking, so I could look across the fields and see miles of snow without a single footprint in it. It would be completely silent – no cars, no birds singing, no doors slamming. Just silence and snow.” – Damien Echols
Can you feel the silence and see the beauty of Damien Echols’ description of a pristine snow fall? I can.
Today, the weather forecast is calling for 18 to 24 inches of snow. I’m longing for this snowfall, along with it’s tranquility and quiet peace. This pending snow storm is stirring something within me. I’m feeling excitement and anticipation. This storm is triggering childhood memories, oh so many memories.
“Snow provokes responses that reach back to childhood. “ – Andy Goldsworthdy
I feel as though I’ve just taken a walk back in time. Decades ago a major snow storm hit New York City, the area was paralyzed. The snow storm wreaked havoc on businesses and caused the city to stand still.
For my family, this snow storm was a reprieve from the hustle and bustle and a chance to reconnect with the simplicities of life. The city turned into a Winter Wonderland.
“Snow makes cities innocent again, reveals the frailty of the human gesture against the void. ” – Glen Duncan
Vivid, beautiful memories of absolutely pure, unending pleasure almost seem to transport me back in time. The walls of our little home could not contain my brother’s or my excitement or jubilation.
“Snowflakes are one of nature’s most fragile things, but just look what they can do when they stick together. ” – Vista M. Kelly
An expectancy filled our home. The morning after the snow fall was serene. My father, with shovel in hand, walked outside. I followed and was shocked to be hit with the sound of nothingness. We lived on a busy two way street. How on earth could it be so quiet?
“Snow falling soundlessly in the middle of the night will always fill my heart with sweet clarity.” – Novala Takemoto
The silence overwhelmed me. I remember looking around in wonder. No cars were on the road, they couldn’t get through the snow, I was in awe of the peacefulness. All blanketed in white, sparkling and new. Such wonder, such a gift.
“The snow is sparkling like a million little suns.” – Lama Willa Miller
Everyone had to stay home, the roads were closed. This snow storm brought everyone out. I could see other fathers and a few kids emerging with their shovels.
While my dad shoveled the front of the house, my brother and I played in the backyard. We stood on the picnic table and just needed to fall backwards to make snow angels. Just so much snow. There’s no better feeling than launching yourself from a picnic table and being swallowed up by a soft blanket of snow. Just thrilling.
“A snow day literally and figuratively falls from the sky – unbidden – and seems like a thing of wonder. ” – Susan Orlean
By the time dad finished clearing the sidewalk, the alley and digging a path to the car, our friends were all out and about. We climbed up a huge mound of snow our fathers had piled high and carved a huge chair of snow. I have no idea what possessed us to make a chair but we did and each of us climbed up to sit in it. A separate mound was enough for us to climb and slide down. It was perfect.
“Silently, like thoughts that come and go, the snowflakes fall, each one a gem.” – William Hamilton Gibson
Chris, our neighbor, came out with his dog, Buddy. Buddy was huge, he’d drag us around when we held his leash. Well, him pulling us on the sled was even better. He just took off and I remember flying down the street. No cars on the streets, just heaven.
“With every falling flake, a unique spark of interest falls from heaven.” – P. Miller
The entrance way to our community drive that led to all our backyards was around the corner. Because the entrance way sloped down into a hill, it was perfect for sleigh riding. We spent hours there sleigh riding with what seemed like the whole neighborhood.
I headed home a few times because my pants were soaked. When I ran out of dry pants, my dad had to come up with a solution. Mom was sleeping; he was in charge.
We had no dryer, we hung clothes to dry. I didn’t have many pants, I wore dresses to school every day. Dad’s solution, line my pants with Wonder bread bags to keep my skin dry. This was fine by me, nothing was going to keep me from that snow. Off I flew, back to the hill.
Once it was dark, we headed home. The snow lit the way.
My mother had woken and dinner was on the table. My brother and I missed their calls to come home. I laugh today and wonder, was it realistic for them to think we were going to hear their voices around the corner when we were all screaming and having a blast with the rest of the kids in the neighborhood? I know they were loud, but really.
The fun didn’t end that day, travel was limited and everything remained closed up. Our neighbor, Angelo asked my father to join their family at the park for sleigh riding. This unplanned spontaneous day is one of my most memorable days. I don’t know that I ever saw my parents happier.
Not only the six kids but also our parents had a blast sleigh riding. We used my brother’s sled. My plastic sled was used sparingly. Unless you piled 4 of us in the sled, it just wouldn’t fly.
My mom made thermos of hot chocolate and Angelo brought the adults champagne. This was bliss. It was simplistic, it was wonderful.
“The wonder of a single snowflake outweighs the wisdom of a million meteorologists.” – unknown
I wish I could bring back the ambiance and the peaceful reprieve to the hustle and bustle and the joy. Maybe this snow storm will bring the opportunity. The forecast is now saying up to 24 inches of snow and a couple of areas, our area included, may see 36 inches headed our way. I think I’ll dream and will this to be so.“
