whip away my worries

"Love is the wind, the tide, the waves, the sunshine."
~ Thoreau

            Love is an amazing sensation.  It bubbles through my body, flowing through my veins, beginning at my heart, and warming my fingers and toes.  I take deep breaths and close my eyes, tears of wonder dampening my lashes.  It is like nothing else I have ever felt. 

            I love my parents who have nurtured me from birth and given me a safe place to heal.  I love my sister, my beautiful, kind, intelligent sister who has become a friend and an amazing mother.  I love my niece who is incredible to watch as she explores this new world with wonder- I hope she always finds wonder in the world.  I love my cousin who speaks like someone much older than she is.  I love my friend who has supported me through these difficult times with unwavering loyalty- I wish her the greatest joy.  I love my cat and bird, who always make me laugh and feel needed in this world.  I love the trees and honeybees, the sky and the clouds, the wind and the rain, fresh air and warm sun, dolphins and whales, minnows and frogs, crickets and caterpillars, hawks and eagles, chickadees and finches, earthworms and butterflies. 

            Although it is so easy to feel sad and discouraged, when love overwhelms me, I look at the world with the wonder of my niece and I am thankful to be alive.  I am ALIVE.  I feel the wind whip away my worries and I stand listening to the rustling leaves and the chirps of the birds and buzz of the bees, breathing in the crisp autumn air, watching as clouds travel across the sky.  I see the sun dip below the horizon and the first star pierce through the dimming fabric above me.  The owl hoots as the Milky Way glitters a path across the sky and I spy another galaxy and another world.  I am alive here, now, and I can’t wait to begin.