Pain

 Traveling for work and decided to catch a movie.  A Real Pain. 

Afterward, my wife asked me if it was good. 

It was.  I also said it was interesting.  She thought that might be akin to saying a blind date you met "had a good personality."  But that wasn't the case.  It truly was both.  

There was sadness mixed with joy.  Playfulness muddled with dread.  Innocence blended with scars. 

I tried to find the meaning and I came away with the feeling that through pain, we feel.  Through pain, we endure.  Through pain, we connect.  Real pain makes you feel alive. 

Recently, I was feeling pain.  It was because a series of seemingly unrelated circumstances that were all thrown into the pot and simmered until it reached a boil.  After some tears, honest talks, and  reconnections, I felt the healing salve. 

Ironically, in an empty theater, I felt connected.  Calm and at peace.  Maybe it was the pain before.  Maybe it was the cocktail before.  Maybe it was the story I was watching.  Maybe...it's just a part of healing. 

Maybe...

I Vote For...

 

We just experienced one of the more controversial elections in our history. I tip my hat to those who voted and had their voice heard. Whether you are blue or red, we move on and turn another chapter. 

Every day, we make a choice.  Every day, we vote. 

I vote for capturing every sunrise and sunset.

I vote for lazy Sunday mornings with breakfast in bed. 

I vote for hugs, kisses, and laughter. 

I vote for warm fires and blankets on cold, winter nights. 

I vote to stay naked after sex. 

I vote to love our children. 

I vote to walk away from people who drain you. 

I vote to travel. 

I vote to dance.  Where ever and whenever. 

I vote to read. 

I vote for being kind. 

I vote for the little things in life. 

I vote to always try and live my life to the fullest. 

I vote for the sport of football. 

We do our duty every four years to elect our leader, and, sometimes it doesn't work out the way we want...but we still vote. 

Just like life.  We don't always succeed, but we still need to choose. We still need to vote. 

Always...until the polls close.