I feel like it describes my life so wonderfully.
We have 5 children in our home right now. It's insane. I sat at the dinner table tonight, tired and stressed, and still, each child shared about their day and it was perfect. All these faces that I love so much and we are all here together because of traumas and imperfections. We are brought together; not all by the celebration of birth. We are blended, we are born, we are welcomed, and we are all family.
I have talked the last few months that my life has gone through changes. Turning 26 has been quite the ride. Ever since that day, things have been different. I'm only a few short months in and wow. My life is overhauled and even though some of those changes were painful and sad- it's much happier and better for it. It has all happened so quickly it's felt strange to examine. These changes, many were born from sadness or hurt or trauma or whatever and life now is so beautiful even when it's hard.
From the ashes of things I thought I needed rose things so much better.
I have slowly found others who went through similar feelings: isolated, alone, unloved, unwanted, down, and it can hurt. Winnowing hurts. It is a sifting, a separation and it is not gentle. Yet when you are removed from what you clung to- you can find a better self beneath that.
I firmly think times of growth can come from good times and happiness. I also firmly believe that some of the strongest growth comes from when we feel broken. When we look at ourselves and decided to rebuild. I'm sure there will be further times in my life where I go through this. I pray not, but to stop growing at 26 would be unfortunate.
So if you feel that way, alone and down, remember that this could be the catalyst to change your life for something deeper. This could be what prepares you to take on things that you never imagined you could hold in your hands. I know it's hard to hear that when you're in the middle of sadness. I know it's hard to hear that when you feel totally alone. Good things can still blossom out of hard dirt.
I'm done pretending to be life guru, but if you need a specific word of encouragement- I'll be here.