 There is a park by my home with a big beautiful lake. It’s called Peace Valley. It is my sanctuary. I go there regularly to remember who I am. There are several entrances into the lake area but each time I go I make it a point to enter through what I refer to as “Gods front door”. As soon as you turn the corner the glistening of the lake rises up to meet you and surrounds you with peace. In that moment my entire world shifts from being part of the story of life to “simply being”. It is here that I am at peace with all that I have been over the past 55 years. There is no judgement, no shame, just acceptance and gratitude.
Acceptance for the teenage girl who was trying to learn how to navigate life without directions and had no idea who she was Gratitude for her resilience Acceptance for the young woman in her 20’s who was looking for a dream and landed in a nightmare Gratitude for the children that were born as a result Acceptance for the woman in her 30’s who had no roadmap for raising two children while living in a trauma response that led to being controlled by her emotions instead of the peaceful guidance of her mind Gratitude for the life lessons that brought me out of the darkness and into awakening Acceptance for the woman in her 40’s who kept putting one foot in front of the other, found peace, and decided to begin again Gratitude for all the love that came into my life and helped me heal Acceptance for the woman in her fifties sitting in a classroom learning the art of helping others who may travel the same path and are in desperate need of the roadmap I now have Gratitude for the woman in the cat shoes sitting across the room who taught me how to be a student again Acceptance that there is so much more living to do and yet again I have no roadmap Gratitude for being fearless on the journey
3 Comments
Eileen Reising
2/13/2018 09:46:18 am
The gift of you and walking, me sobbing into a "cow coat", praying and being has you unconditionally loving me on our days at Peace Valley. Beautifully written Susan. I felt the pain, acceptance and hope that has colored your life. Thank you for being who you are. Peace ♥
Jen
2/14/2018 03:26:26 am
Ahh yes, acceptance and that roadmap. Thanks to you my eyes are more open for myself and my children. Because of you and what you have taught me and I have heard, because I was open and willing, is that my roadmap can be changed and has changed. I plan on visiting this beautiful park more often this year, because of you. Thanks for being who you are... an honest, open, loving friend ((hugs)) 2/14/2018 09:05:59 am
As I sit her at my desk reading this post, I am a giant puddle of tears. It is stunningly beautiful, painfully real, amazingly authentic, and utterly and completely you. And I have the same gratitude that you and I were connected that day...me in my cat shoes feeling like I didn't belong and you ever so willing to let me know that I did, in fact, very much belong. Leave a Reply. |
Archives
February 2018
Categories |
RSS Feed