A Remedy for Spirit Concussions

It's been a tough couple of weeks.  You know the kind where you just want to throw your hands up and yell into the infinite abyss, "Enough! Enough, already!"  I feel bruised and shaken and I keep wanting to write about it, but then it turns into this Dementor-like pity party, and that's not what I want this space to be.

So instead, I'm going to fill it with things that I'm thankful for. Gratitude seems to be the perfect medicine for spirit concussions.  And I'm not talking about slapping a band-aid on what we are feeling and skipping way with a daisy in hand. No. I'm talking about owning what we're feeling, digging deep, reeling in the truth if it's a little foggy, and moving on with a thankful heart and a plan for progress.  There is a time a sit in the dark, and then there is time to look up and feel the sun on your face.

Today, I'm thankful for:

• Friends, who not only listen, but want to come into my space and sit with me.
• Friends who let me snug with their sweet babies while we wait for our own. 
• Time spent reading poetry with my Nana on her screened in porch.
• The opportunity to watch my cousins grow and develop into some genuinely cool people who are going to make this world a better place. 
• Long and intentional hugs from David when I walk in the door. 
• The safety and sanctity that comes with being married to an honorable, encouraging, and compassionate man. 
• This phase of my life, where I am finally discovering just who I am and the sound of my own voice. 
• The people who have helped me and empowered me to get to this place. 
• The summer oasis of my parent's backyard.
• The feeling of the first sip of ice-cold sangria. 
• This kid...

What are you thankful for today?