Our family is far from perfect.  I am not a perfect wife nor a perfect mom. I have a lot of shortcomings and weaknesses. Although I always brag about my kids, they also have their faults and foibles.  But if there is one thing that we all have, it’s FAMILY—our home, our touch base, our cornerstone, our constant. We draw from each other’s strengths. We live from each other’s love. We grow from each other’s spirit.

As you read through these lines, know that you are not alone. Know that you are enough– more than enough; even if the only thing that you did today was to pray and breathe. That prayer that you just did? That breathing exercise and meditation that you just finished? Those send energy and vibes into this world depleted of feelings of worthiness.

Keep on reaching out. Focus on your strength. Focus on your love. Know that there will always be another hand reaching out to pull you out from whatever you are stuck on. And remember how blessed you are to be alive.

I have nothing to give. I have no more fight left in me. Even if I open my eyes, I could not see what is ahead of me. Where do I go from here? Is it worth standing back up and picking up the broken pieces of me?

Then I took a deep breath. And then another. And yet another. I’m still alive. What do I do next?

One word. LIVE.

I needed to stay here for a while. It is where I can step back and allow the thoughts to rush in. I just let them pass by. The pain feels comfortable or maybe I was so numb that I don’t even feel the pain. Certain realizations that should have left my heart broken, but it didn’t. My heart was sheltered. By walls I put up. Barriers. When did I learn to do that? How did I learn to do that? 

Sometimes you connect with a beautiful soul that in them you find Hope— that glimmer of light in a world where you’re grappling on things that no longer serve you. A solid presence that brings you to your knees and say, “Thank you!” Thank you for showing up in my life.