People of the Way
Journey through the world
Responding to conditions,
Carefree and without restraint.
Like clouds finally raining,
Like moonlight following the current,
Like orchids growing in shade,
Like spring arising in everything,
They act without mind,
They respond with certainty.

- Hongzhi Zhengjue (1091–1157)

My Girl by The Temptations

I've got sunshine,
On a cloudy day.
When it's cold outside,
I've got the month of May.

Well, I guess you'll say
What can make me feel this way?
My girl. (My girl, my girl)
Talkin' 'bout my girl. (My girl)

I've got so much honey,
The bees envy me.
I've got a sweeter song,
Than the birds in the trees.

Well, I guess you'll say,
What can make me feel this way?
My girl. (My girl, my girl)
Talkin' 'bout my girl. (My girl)

Ooooh, Hoooo.

Hey, hey, hey.
Hey, hey, hey.

I don't need no money,
Fortune or fame.
I've got all the riches, baby,
One man can claim.

Well, I guess you'll say
What can make me feel this way?
My girl. (My girl, my girl)
Talkin' 'bout my girl. (My girl)
Talkin' bout my girl.

I've got sushine on cloudy day
With my girl.
I've even got the month of May
With my girl.

An hour ago he carried her to bed and tucked her in with a sweet, slow kiss. He wasn't tired enough to sleep yet so he sat on the porch with a cider and listened to the night sounds. The air that had been so hot all day was starting to cool and the chirping of birds had given way to the sounds of insects. He took a long pull from the bottle and leaned back in the chair, thinking of how good life was.......and how good it could become......

Sometimes its all too easy to dwell on the negative. I like to sit and reflect on the good things. Everyday we are surrounded by things that bring us down but what of the things that make us happy....that bring that smile to our faces no matter what?

I smile at children laughingwith innocent joy, at birds flying and singing, at the sounds of music and I smile at the thoughts of my red tressed Angel. It's amazing how little the world can get to you if you love someone completely and are in turn, loved by them completely.

Sure there are rough days.....everyone has them but......that Love....that complete and unfettered Love.....that will get you through anything.

Its good to sit back and think about the good things.....

He bends down, picks up a small pebble and tosses it into the pool. From the point it breaks the surface of the water ripples spread out. They lessen over time but they intersect other ripples caused by other pebbles throw by other people. They create a pattern of interaction that can be beautiful as long as there aren't too many ripples. He watches the ripples spread out and see them interact with those made by a girl further around the pool. The pattern is beautiful, as he knew it would be....afterall, he'd been waiting for her his entire life. He smiles and makes his way slowly toward her. She looks up, sees him and smiles. It seems she's been waiting too....

Have you ever met someone and known that they were the perfect person for you? Someone who has the same interests, likes the same music, food, has the same outlook on life as you and has read the same obscure things you have? Have you ever fallen in love and not remembered exactly where it happened but felt that it was always there...waiting? I have......and I have never Loved like this before.......never knew I could feel this deeply.

I've said a million times (and I whole heartedly believe this) that nothing worth while is ever easy. If it comes easy you take it for granted and at some point it ceases to be or value to you. Things that you earn though.....those you treasure all the more.....they remain precious to you.

I know what sacrifice is.....god knows that after 20 years in the Military, sacrifice is second nature. You give up so much for some many who never appreciate it. It feels good to finally give for someone who does. It feels good to be there for someone and know that they are there for you....totally, unconditionally.

It feels good to Love without reservation.....and to hope.....that one day.......those ripples on the pond will come from a pebble you both threw together.