From the mouths of babes....

I am constantly amazed by the insight and knowledge that I learn from my young friends. And by young, I mean under the age of 10.

Last week, as I lay in bed in the depths of yet another dip into post-rejection depression, I was awakened by Gracie's barks from upstairs. I lay there in frustration trying to ignore the constant barking, but realized it was futile. After trodding upstairs, still in my jammies at 7:00 pm, I tentatively opened the door to find Diana and her two daughters, Paris and Emerald, patiently waiting in the dark at the back porch. As I opened the door, I was immediately greeted with with open arms, a kiss, and gentle reminders that everything would be okay. "We love you," she said. And as I fell into Diana's embrace, I felt these small arms wrap around the legs of their mother and I. Somehow, I couldn't help but feel it would indeed be all right.

Waking up from my all day stupor, I watched the girls trotting around my mother's house with their usual inquisitive energy - asking questions, touching everything, wanting to learn. Paris noticed the portrait I had done of my now deceased brother Doug. I explained to her how I had drawn the portrait, from a photograph I had of him holding a puppy, shortly after learning he was killed in a car accident. With her usual sensitivity, Paris let me know how sorry she was to hear of the loss of Doug. After finally getting dressed, Diana and the girls, took me out to Maggie Moo's for ice cream and laughter - just the medicine I needed to get me through. I was grateful that they had cared enough for me to knock and incessantly call, until I eventually rose from my basement cave.

Tonight, at the usual Tuesday night euchre game in the local coffee shop, I was greeted again with warm hugs from Diana and the girls. Paris, also again, took the time to let me know how sorry she was that I hadn't gotten the most recent job. She then revealed to me the dream she had. "In my dream," she said, your brother came back as a ghost and looked just like he did in the picture. And you were in MY body. You were kinda creeped out." She explained how I didn't understand what was going on but, Doug gave me the puppy (the one he had been holding) And then we went on an adventure, the details of which she couldn't exactly remember. Before returning to his grave, Doug kissed me. She told me, "You were very cold, but when he kissed you, your face lit up before he went away." I felt a chill and a twinge in my heart as Paris revealed her dream to me.

Later, Paris let me know she could also predict the future. She told me that Doug and I would be together again in heaven. She then took a sticker from her new journal book and gave it to me - the sticker read, "Stay Strong Forever."

Whether a true dream to offer comfort, or merely the imagination of a small sensitive child, these are the moments that are priceless to me. I imagined Doug watching over me, encouraging me to keep moving on. He knew, and shared, my pain. These revelations of story cannot be made up. They come from the heart and speak to the soul.

Blogging 101

I am going to attempt to blog again. I have to admit this is fairly new territory for me. But since I am finally writing, for class, I am inspired to keep an ongoing "diary" of ideas, thoughts, stories, etc. to share with others. I know very little about creating a blog and am a bit confused about the technology of setting up something with all the bells and whistles. I suppose this will come with time. I am open to suggestions from anyone who happens to read this and feels compelled to share their knowledge with me.