Angel of Courage...

At the beginning of this week I had a beautiful image. No matter how hard I try to stay detached and professional the kids I see always seem to etch themselves into my heart and take a piece of it when they move on. That got me to thinking about all the children that are making their way through life with a piece of my heart … and pieces of probably hundreds of other hearts that they stole. I smiled to myself as I imagined the world walking around with all these pieces of other's hearts blanketing them… people’s hopes, dreams, and prayers. I kind of thought of all those hearts as creating a savings for later in life when hopes, dreams, and love can feel lost. Usually images like this pop in and out of my head (tis’ the life of a cheez-ball I guess) but this one has stuck … and changed. We never stop giving our hearts away for others to be … lifted by … supported by … encouraged, inspired, and challenged by. Maybe the hearts that fall upon us as children are the warmest blanket because they were our first, but I am sure that it does not stop there.
My heart was hurt deeply yesterday … but my friends … sometimes words really … just can’t do it. But the quilt of hearts that I was wrapped up in is more beautiful than anything I will ever see in this world, more powerful than anything life could hit me with …I think that God picked the pieces/the hearts in my quilt to compliment each other perfectly, and stitched them together in the most intricate and breathtaking pattern with more love and patience than I can grasp.
I am glad yesterday is over. The sun is shinning and although it makes me tired to think of it … I do have the strength in me to not let yesterday’s ‘ughhh’ knock me down from living each breath.
Sitting beside me is an angel with her arms stretched out strongly above her head, and her hands in little fists … she is called the “Angel of Courage” … I think she will become a good friend. What a beautiful gift … thanks girls.
Little victory - I have been putting off starting the running part of my triathlon training out of fear it would kybosh the whole thing… yesterday could not have gotten any worse so I just did it … and I ran 1.5 Km with relatively no pain!!!