I am a firm believer in silver linings. This wisdom comes from years full of challenges and loss. Memories of times before a loss are more precious afterwards. Our lives get divided by important events, not dates.

There are memories partitioned off as befores and afters; before a death, after a birth, before Covid, after a move, before a marriage, after a graduation, before a diagnosis…

Time gets sorted into pieces colored by the challenges of the times. Sometimes those times are dark and hard, others are joyous and new.
There are shifts in our lives that seem to recalibrate everything of importance. These are the markers that divide our stories into chapters.

I have been working on a timeline of my earlier life. There were marriages, births and deaths during these years. Big changes came to my young life. As I record this series of events, I am amazed that life went on despite the losses. It seemed like time stopped, but it did not.
Careers started, babies were born and houses were built. We just carried our grief along with us as we moved forward.

We were resilient. Braver than before. Stronger than before. More determined.

As we approach another holiday season; there will be much loved people or pets that are missing. Careers and health may have changed.

But here we are decorating another tree. Pausing to remember the origin of the ornaments. Smiling at the photos, art and tiny handprints from holidays past. Hanging a stocking that will contain only memories, but still holds a place for someone special.

We are still here. Stronger and braver.

That is the brightness I am going to use as my guiding light. I am thankful that past hardships have brought us here to be grateful for what has passed and what is ahead.

Bring it! We can handle it.

FLOW