Everything Happens for a Reason (right?)

That's what my grandmother used to say.  I grew up believing that and today is no different.  The only thing different is when you hear that when you're ten or 15, it sounds awesome.  It makes you think that being at that particular mall entrance when the cutest boy in the world walked through the door was "meant to be".  It sounds romantic.  When you're 39 and you feel like the world has chewed you up and spit you out for almost two weeks straight - not so romantic.  I could give you the details of the past two weeks of my life, but that would just send me to bed in tears, so I'll say this instead: read The Happiness Project!!!!

I have been amazed at how much this book has helped me in these past weeks.  One of her things - to sing in the morning - sounded cute to me.  Being a choir girl, you would guess that I would've jumped right on it.  Well, I hadn't.  Until today.  Yesterday was one of the worst days I've had in a long time.  I cried and cried and cried.  And this morning - I wanted to cry some more.  I was short tempered with the girls, but I was following another one of her mantras, "do what ought to be done".  As I was making Erica's lunch I started quietly singing "This little light of mine".  I'll be honest, I'm not sure I know more than the one verse, but I can sing that one verse over and over again and it always gives me a boost.  Today the boost didn't come from the song, though.  It came when Erica said from the other room, "Sing louder, mommy!"  As the tears welled up (again) I pushed through and sang louder.  I had finally sung enough and a few minutes later, I heard a little voice singing, "let it shine, let it shine, let it shine".  The tears subsided, the smile grew bigger.

And since I also love to take inspiration from movies (especially those that make you cry - the ones that Mike always asks, "why would you watch that?") I also want to add that "sometimes something bad has to happen so that something good can happen".  It's from the movie Life as a House with Kevin Kline.  I'm sure this isn't the first place this concept has been explored, but it's the most recent place I've heard it.  It definitely applies today.  Maybe opportunity can only knock if you're home.

For those of you who have been with me at these difficult moments, I want to thank you.  Thank you for being a support to me, for loving me (and for a few of you) for praying over me.  Keep those prayers comin'!  Laugh out loud.  Do what ought to be done.  And definitely - sing in the morning!