One Person

I remember the day
You came into my life
We had ordinary conversations
And yet they were more than that

Little did I know
That day I first met you
How you would change my life
In so many ways

I can hear you now
Telling me how you've hurt me
But you couldn't be
More wrong

You were that one person
Who believed in me
When I didn't believe
In myself

You gave me strength
When I was weak
Love when I felt unlovable
And most of all hope

It only takes one person
To make a difference
And for me
You will always be that person

Thank you, my friend
For loving me unconditionally
And telling me I deserve to be loved
Even though I am so flawed

Thank you, my love
For putting up with my insecurities
As I learned to be secure
As you taught me so much

You are just one person
Flawed and yet perfect
Wise and gentle and wonderful
One person I'll always love

The Price of Freedom

The price of freedom
how we chose to measure that
measures us as well.

If measured in coins
then at what price do we sell
our bodies and souls?

If measured in time
do we count in years or days?
How long is too long?

If measured in tears
we will surely float away
a river of pain.

But measured in hopes
in candles flickering glow
a price gladly paid.

It IS getting better

There is a spray-painted message on the side of an overpass that I pass under on my way home from work every day that says, "It can get better". If the creator of this message intended to inspire or lift a person's spirits then they were successful. The first time I saw it, I smiled and things felt a little bit better. Each time I saw the message I felt a little bit better about life in general.

Then one day it dawned on me. What did this person mean by saying is 'can' get better. And, now that I think about it, that's not really all that positive a message. It 'can' get better? Well that doesn't tell me it WILL get better. Hmmm... Maybe that's what the person really should have said, "It will get better." To which my inner brat immediately said, "When?".

Okay, NOW. There, are you happy? It IS getting better.

So, maybe that's what this person should have sprayed on that overpass, "It is getting better". And when I thought about it I realized that no, that wouldn't work. If I had to drive under a message telling me that life is getting better I would have been indignant and thought, no it's not.

Perhaps the message is perfect just the way it is and it is up to every individual person to have that kind of response, or not, for themselves. Perhaps it is my reaction to that statement that makes all the difference.

All I know is that life and things ARE getting better. For that, for that message, and whomever managed to lean over the edge of the roadway and paint it upside down, I am grateful. And, that's all that matters.

It Should Be Raining

Words, sounds, syllables,

phrases, thoughts, ideas, noise

jumbled in my head. 

Naked emotions

flow freely competing for

the breath to gain life. 

Finding new lessons

patience, compassion, faith, trust

hardest in my life. 

Learning watching him

He shows me such patient love

His love centers me. 

Trying to focus

on the truly important

not getting bogged down. 

Never my intent

hating that I have caused pain

you deserved better. 

Laughter, color, love

our children's faces happy

things I believe in. 

Time changes people

I wish we could undo it

doesn't work that way. 

Encouraging words

unconditional love, trust

the things he gives me 

I want to be proud

of myself, our kids, and you

how we handle this. 

I found the courage

to say I don't deserve this

we all deserve more. 

It looks sunny out

emotional disconnect

it should be raining. 

Chase away the clouds

my favorite things, my loves

colors bright and bold.