Friday, August 19, 2011

Life is Sweet

"They told you life is hard
Misery from the start, it's dull
It's slow, it's painful.

But I tell you life is sweet
In spite of the misery
There's so much more, be grateful.

Well, who do you believe?
Who will you listen to, who will it be?
Because it's high time that you decide
In your own mind." ~ Natalie Merchant, Life is Sweet


Life is sweet for Bugsy, too.
The last six weeks has been a blur as the gentle wind swirls around me. It caresses and heals my psyche, that battleground of emotions and mental impulses upon which I had jousted so bravely, yet failed repeatedly.

I have come home. It's a different kind of home, one I knew was out there. I had hints and encouragements, signposts along the way and never lost hope. Yet time marched on as I careened through life looking, waiting, hoping, that hope growing thin and ragged.
 
But here he is, live and in color, bigger than life, more than I ever imagined.
 
My childhood friend Anita told me years ago that she and her husband of fifteen years (at the time) had never had an argument, much less a fight. I couldn't wrap my head around this information. I had never (ever) known a couple that didn't argue, spar, even scream and yell at each other on occasion.
 
And I certainly had never had a relationship without such drama. I thought that as humans it was our fate. But I have laid down my arms and thrown away my shield. For I no longer need them.

I bid adieu to fighting. Life is sweet.

And yes, it always was, as Natalie says, in spite of the misery. But now? It's sweeter still.
 



~ Olivia J. Herrell

4 comments:

Eric W. Trant said...

Oh Lord in Heaven to have a life of peace without conflict and drama!

My oldest son is ten. He asked a few weeks ago why we are at war in the Middle East.

That's hard to explain, and so I beat around it.

And then he asks me a few days ago why people fight, meaning individuals.

See, his mom was fighting with her guy. I was fighting with my girl. There was fighting all around!

I said, Son, I don't get it either. Most things people fight about are silly and they're just wanting something to punch because they're frustrated. About the only reason to fight is when you're in physical danger.

There's never a good reason to fight, Daddy. I'd just run, he said. I don't want to hurt people.

You'll note, of course, he didn't say he would run out of fear for himself, but for fear he would hurt others.

There's a big distinction there.


- Eric

RHYTHM AND RHYME said...

Life certainly is sweet, one just have to muddle through the pain, heartache and strife.Having hope helps.

Have a wonderful week-end.
Yvonne.

Olivia J. Herrell, writing as O.J. Barré said...

Eric, one day I was considering cell biology and thought, "Wow. Our very life depends on immune cells fighting off and gobbling up offenders. It's no wonder we fight!" Just think. You were being real in front of your children and provoked a very honest and real exchange with your son, who by the way, sounds like a chip off the old block. Thank you for sharing about it. (P.S. I am no stranger to the ring!)

Yvonne, yes, hope helps when nothing else does. You have a wonderful weekend, too!

Love y'all, Olivia

anthony stemke said...

Life is wonderful despite all the stuff one must go through. I see the trees in my front yard in the morning when I have my coffee and can really appreciate life.

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