Hope happens

Have you ever listened to the radio and a song comes on that is attached to all kinds of memories? Or maybe there's a date that has a special meaning for you? Or perhaps there's a place that you can't go to because of all the memories attached. We all have those things, those memories that fill us with emotion and leave us feeling like we are back in it.

It can be hard during those times to remember that we are still in the present, that we're truly not re-living the moment, and yet the emotions feels so powerful that we're transported back in time. And so the key becomes trying to create new memories, positive experiences, and a new path so that hope can once again fill us up and anchor us in our new reality.

February 17th is one of those days for me. It's a day filled with so many happy memories, and yet one that is also filled with much sadness. But, I know that as I have navigated the new reality that it left me with, I can anchor myself in the realm of hope and replace that sadness with new memories, cherishing those happy ones I got to live through. Some days anger still presides, but little by little I know that if I hold onto faith, that truly will anchor my soul in hope.

So today I DARE you to remember that, although our lives will be touched with sadness and filled with memories we may want to forget, we CAN find hope once again and navigate forward on a new path. It is not easy, that's for sure, and some days are more challenging than others, AND you will slowly find a way to honor those struggles and gradually let go so you can move forward from the pain.

Here's to faith, to remembering the good times, and knowing that peace will come.