The sacrifice of friends

Poetry is an extension of soul. After an emotion baring conversation with a friend, I wrote this. Here is a piece of my soul.

To give until you feel full.
To laugh until you ache.
To cry until you drown.

The sacrifice of friends

The rides that do not end.
The joys of endless hours.
The pain shared in glances.

The sacrifice of friends

Be still as life grabs you up.
Be alive as death stares you down.
Be gracious when your well is dry.

The sacrifice of friends

Carry the weight they cannot lift.
Bear the burdens they cannot speak.
Hold the heart they've dared not share.

The sacrifice of friends

The elephant in the room

In the spirit of Christmas there was a bash held in our home last night. What a joy to be surrounded by friends, joy, love and laughter for another wonderous night. We traded food and gifts and, my favorite- we traded time. We spent hours enmeshed in each others lives. We dug into soul. And there we have found treasure beyond measure.

God has been kind(amazing! gracious! merciful!) and given me friends who bless this world by their presence. I know I say this alot, but it because I believe it!

Like my friend Stacy. My joyful and most compassionate friend in the whole wide world. She blesses me with her patience and love. She reminds me to be kind and to revel in the wonder of the moment.





And Katie. She challenges me to think and grow emotionally and to walk a life that is honest and open. And I am reminded to embrace fierce opinions and to share them with earnestness.And Derek. He teaches me to be brave and face confusion and possibility with optimism and strength. (no photo here yet...)

And Kari. She radiates joy and graciousness. She allows me to see the genuine wonder of womanhood.And Kyle reminds me why I love politics--
the people there are awesome!
And he shows me what it is to work
hard to get where you want to be.






















And Micheal.

He allows me
to see grace

and friendship
in a whole new light.









And Zach. I see the laughter and humor that shows me that life is light and joking when we choose it to be.





Merry Christmas! May there be Peace on Earth and in Your Heart.

Confused

I am surrounded by a mass of women.
I see them daily. I smile with them and chat with them. I eat with them and I play in the snow with them. I love these women. They are strong, creative and lovely. They surround themselves with humilty and grace and the body of Christ.These women are beautiful.
They teach me to laugh and fill Michigan (and Texas and California and Sicily) with joy and mercy. I see God in these women. I see what it means to grow. I see challenges faced with tears and determination. I see fierce passion and motivation.
And I see pain. I am surrounded by these women. Lonely women. And I ache for them. Heck, I ache with them. It seems an odd thing to be so independent, as these women are, and yet to feel a longing for a 'someone'. These women are alone, some lonely, some just sadly alone. and I wish I had that band-aid for their soul sized bullet hole. (Thank you POTUSA for that lyric)

I am also surrounded by a mass of men. I see them every day. I smell them every day. I laugh with them and at them. I cry for them and with them. I see strength and vulnerablity. I see hope and trust and love. I see what it means to fight the good fight. These men stun me with their depth and their quiet heroism. They make me remember what makes man great - His search for God. These men are beautiful.
They show fortitude and dependance on a Greater Man. They teach me to appreciate kindness and grace. I learn every day what it means to be humble and driven. I love these men. They make this world a more marvelous place.
And I see pain here too. I see the pain hiding in eyes that rise over a smile. Some are lonely, and some just dreadfully alone. Oh, for that heavenly first-aid kit...

Now if only I can get these two groups together. Can you imagine?