What's Keeping You Up?

The most beautiful people we have known
are those who have known defeat, known suffering,
known struggle, known loss,
and have found their way out of those depths.

Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

Reading Elizabeth Kubler-Ross'
On Death and Dying
changed my life for the better.

Just recently, Uncle Joe and I were
considering all the people who really want to live
and die too soon.  We also considered others
who would easily trade places because
they are ready to go. Life is a mystery of ironies.

We were raised to consider these things, to not
be scared of death, to understand death
is the normal course of life. 

4Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth,

burst into jubilant song with music;

5make music to the Lord with the harp,

with the harp and the sound of singing,

6with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn—

shout for joy before the Lord, the King.

                                     Psalm 98:4-6

For me, there is still a lot to be done, 

God willing.  Chronic pain ignored.

As long as I can watch my children 

bloom and hold my husband's hand.  

As long, as there is an ocean, 

a foggy day, dew in the morning, 

thrift stores to wander, 

vintage and antique venues to visit, 

crafts to make, 

or a seeds to plant, I am good.