Sunshine and Sorrow

Quote of the Day:

Touched by An Angel

by Maya Angelou

We, unaccustomed to courage
exiles from delight
live coiled in shells of loneliness
until love leaves its high holy temple
and comes into our sight
to liberate us into life.


Love arrives
and in its train come ecstasies
old memories of pleasure
ancient histories of pain.
Yet if we are bold,
love strikes away the chains of fear
from our souls.


We are weaned from our timidity
In the flush of love's light
we dare be brave
And suddenly we see
that love costs all we are
and will ever be.
Yet it is only love
which sets us free.

A rose is a symbol of love. Its gorgeous shape and delicious smell draw us in.  And, yet, this beauty doesn't live forever, and its thorns tear the flesh.

We enjoyed a wonderful weekend, sunny skies, warm weather, time with friends, great conversation, and delicious food.  I finished reading the book I found on my trip West by Maya Angelou.  While I was enjoying all those things, my friend was deciding to take her four-year-old son off life support. We don't know why he stopped breathing in the night, why his brain swelled and caused so much damage, or why his days on this Earth were so short.  His brief life brought joy, love, and meaning.

God sends us sweet roses, loving friends, and magnificent sunrises to help us through the dark days.

The sunrise on the West Coast looked like this, the full moon still shining over the water, and the sun reflecting off the front of the waves. 

From Psalm 30, Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes in the morning. 

Journaling Prompt:  Write about your recent joys and sorrows.