of Dirt and Beauty

I went for a walk this weekend in the same park I walked through on memorial day. I was struck by the beauty of the gardens. Remembering how barren they looked in May. How "cleared" to the dirt they were, they almost looked like scars on the landscape, holes in the beauty of the grass, the trees, the lake.
Today, they are pockets of beauty. It's so easy for me to just see the current situation, to see them for what they are not what the "Master Gardner" has in store for them. How often have I run from the cleansing, weeding, tilling of my heart and soul? All because I couldn't see the beauty of whats to come.

Where did this summer go. I remember as a kid, that getting out of school for summer break, summer lasted forever. 4th of July, why it took forever to get here. Labor day was just a scary story parents used to scare us about school starting up.
But now in my 48th year, I'm amazed that this summer went by so fast. Seems like about 4 hours ago it was Memorial day, and the 4th of July was about the time I started writing this post. But here it is Labor Day. the last great blast of summer.
Spent this summer doing a lot of soul searching, finding joy, finding my happiness and well being. Not that it wasn't without it's drama, but everything happens for a reason.

Things I've learned this summer;
It really will get better.
It's not going to hurt nearly as much as you feared.
Laughter with a best friend is contagious.
Share pain is lessened, Shared joy increased.
There are people, a whole lot of people, that love and accept me as I am today, while respecting this isn't the end. That I'm a work in progress.
As you finish one chapter in your life, there's another chapter just waiting for you to dive into it.
Looking back, I see a lot of growth in me.
Looking ahead, I see a lot of growth still to come.
It's a great feeling, knowing there's a place you're always accepted, loved, needed.
Acceptance doesn't mean blind devotion.
Even when the words seem harsh, a true friends speaking into your life is a precious gift.
There's always time, if we just make it...
to walk in a garden, or a park,
have a coffee together,
go for a bike ride.
THESE ARE THE MORTAR THAT HOLD THE REST OF OUR LIFE TOGETHER, that make lives worth living.