She used to ask herself, What more could I wish? But she always distrusted that question, because she knew there were limits to her experience that precluded her knowing what there was to be wished.

Who I am, is who you are

White wheel barrows and wood piles
Earth worms and speckled trout
Sawdust and grease
Salt air and spice
Fresh cut grass and gasoline
Apple blossoms and Marsh roses
Beach glass and lost bottles

Choosing

Stop being afraid of what could go wrong, and start thinking of what could go right. Better yet, think of everything that already is right. Be thankful for nights that turned into mornings, friends that turned into family, and past dreams and goals that have turned into reality. Use this positivity to keep going, and fuel an even brighter tomorrow.

Me before you

Before you, I was strong.
Before you, I knew what I wanted
Before you, I had a heart that was kind

Before you, I laughed
Before you, I wondered about all of things that I could be
Before you, I didn't give up

Before you, I didn't need someone to take care of me
Before you, I believed in the good in others
Before you, I trusted

Before you I knew what love was

And after you...

I am stronger
I still know what I want
My heart is still kind

after you....

My laughter remains
I am exactly who I should be, and I will keep wondering about what else I can be
I haven't given up

after you....

I can still take care of myself
I still believe in the good in people
I still trust

After you, I still know what love is

Maybe the journey isn't so much about becoming anything.
Maybe it's about unbecoming everything that isn't really you, so you can be who you were meant to be in the first place.

Believe

You have loved.

You have even experienced great love. 

You have given your heart, and been given it back. Sometimes whole with new appreciation, and other times pieces. 

It is no secret that you have lost a round or two, but do not hang your head. You are the luckiest, even with the weight of the world. 

You have had moments shared, and moments lost. Promises made and promises broken. True words spoken, but taken back, and words not said, and regretted. 

Look at it all not as a failure. Look at it and be grateful.

Some say you have a heart too soon made glad. But you have a heart that is open, welcoming, and forgiving. A heart too soon made glad is not a liability, it is unsheltered. 

Be conscientious, but do not disconnect; underneath there is an innocence we are all guilty of. 

Real love is a choice

" No one falls in love by choice, it is by chance. No one stays in love by chance, it is by work. And no one falls out of love by chance, it is by choice."