Celebrating family to heal saddness

The sun must be rising, somewhere behind me. The tops of the trees outside my window are blushing ever deeper shades of pink. Their stark, winter bare branches provide a perfect canvas on which to reflect the colors of dawn.

Losing myself in them brings a quiet joy to my heart. Or maybe the joy has been there all along, and just needed an awakening. Either way, I feel peaceful. Happy.

Often, of late, my hurt and anger have found their way to the page. I am sure this is simply a case of circumstance. This - this action, this creation, this 'writing thing' - is a medium in which I am comfortable and that lends itself well to allowing the dark places in my life to blacken the page.

I am not sure if it is because of the morning dawn in the trees, or because of the coffee steaming by my side, or simply because I have been inspired again... but suddenly, I want to write about all the wonderful things.

I believe that we, as human beings, are gifted with a tremendous power - to decide our state of mind, to literally choose the energy we wish to share with the world. Days like these, moments like these, I am reminded how very powerful we are... how far our influence reaches. I am also reminded how important it is to share the good, focus on the happy, and celebrate our deep connection to one another.

Today, I want to tell you about one of the many wonderful connections in my life. A gift that helps me to shine my light; bright, and positive, and happy, even in the face of darkness.

I have the most amazing family. Have I told you that? They - Mother, Father, Sister - have stood by my side unfailingly for the past 36 years. No matter my actions or decisions, and believe me - I have made some horrible ones - they have never wavered in their love for me.

When I was young and took their love for granted, they smiled, and loved me more. When I was lost and wandering around the world, often choosing the worst possible path, they told me they understood, and they would be there when I came home. When my life hung by a thread, they gathered around me, held hands and prayed - for days on end - until I was alive again.

These are the most incredible people in the world.

I am so grateful for them.

I am grateful for you too, my incredibly supportive friends. But I will have to tell you more about that later.

The sun has crested the horizon, the snow is ablaze, and the time has come for me to begin my day.

I hope you carry your light high above you, for all to see. You are important to the world. You are important to me.