Been sitting in the swing this morning listening to the songbirds’ symphonies and thinking about how fast life goes by. I think life is like a rollercoaster ride, up and down, twisting and turning as we journey quickly through time. Good days are rays of sunshine and full of laughter, then life takes a sharp turn as storms and darkness loom ahead. We check our rollercoaster seatbelts and call out to God to protect us and guide us through the dark, learning how to persevere as we trust God’s grace to save us and bring us back into the sunshine. These stormy rides teach us how to hold on to life and pray for the rainbows. Our life passes by so quickly. One day were we’re fastening our seatbelts, young and dreaming of tomorrow, the next day we’re old remembering our yesterdays.

Theophrastus wrote, “Time is the most valuable thing a man can spend.” And let me tell you, time is fleeting. I think God wants us to step out into the world bravely, content in the knowledge that he is walking beside us and giving us encouragement. Psalm 37:23 reads, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.” That first step takes the most courage but once the journey begins we experience the wonders of life. God has predetermined our path but we choose whether to follow his path or to set off on our own, struggling in the darkness till we realize we need to turn to God to find our way back into the light. “There are times when we have to step into the darkness in faith, confident that God will place solid ground beneath our feet once we do,” Dieter F. Uchtdorf.

I found my first fall leaf today. Had a wave of grief remembering all the times Chief and I shared finding our first fall leaf. Grief is really like an ocean wave. There are calm moments, where life is going on an even keel, and just when you least expect a wave of grief rolls over and almost drowns you. It takes your breath away. It will be four years in January since Chief died and I still deal with the waves. They always pick the most improper time to break over me but if I don’t deal with the waves I lose my breath. I’m in the calm waters now but when a wave breaks I hold out my hand to reach out for my faith to rescue me. If I didn’t believe I’d be reunited with Rosie and Chief in heaven I could not swim my way to the top of these waves.

I used to read this quote by Joanne Cacciatore every night when I went to bed. Her words somehow soothed me during the months following Chief’s death. “When we love deeply, we mourn deeply: extraordinary grief is an expression of extraordinary love. Grief and love mirror each other; one is not possible without the other.” I really feel this is true.

I think Jimmy Buffett described grief perfectly. He had to have loved deeply and felt that loss sharply to describe grief so perfectly. He writes that waves of grief are big enough to drown us but if we keep moving forward the memories of those we love will shine brightly. Here are his words. “Grief is like the wake behind a boat. It starts out as a huge wave that follows close behind you and is big enough to swamp and drown you if you suddenly stop moving forward. But if you do keep moving, the big wake will eventually dissipate. And after a long time, the waters of your life get calm again, and that is when the memories of those who have left begin to shine as bright and as enduring as the stars above.”

We all have those bad days with disappointments and challenges to overcome. Those days are life’s gifts to make us appreciate all the days that are full of beauty and truth. I remember Lynn Anderson’s song lyrics, “I beg your pardon. I never promised you a rose garden. Along with the sunshine there’s got to be a little rain sometime.” Life happens and the storms do rage. Those experiences test our faith but we grow in faith as we pray for God to give us strength. Lessons from challenging days teach us about the power of hope and the importance of perseverance.

My day was as bright and happy as the azure blue sky with its white fluffy clouds. Now, like the setting sun I’m laying my head down and coloring my sunset with the glorious colors that memories come in. Hold on to those happy days that etch your hearts with joyous memories, days that remind us of the magic of being alive on this wondrous earth.

“My life is my journey with God. It may be hard sometimes, but I’m assured it would all be worth it.” — harmlessmonster.tumblr.com