A Most Amazing Friendship

Grief.  Big and bad and the ugly some days.  I know that, and those who are reading this know that too. I am going to share with you a personal story, and personal stories are difficult to tell for me, but it feels important to share it all with you.

I’ve written a book, spoken to many groups, sometimes small, and sometimes very large.  I always wear my red shoes.. my symbol of strength and bravery on those days.  Glinda , the Good with of the North says “You’ve always had the power to find your way home my dear”  and my red shoes are my power.  I have boxes full of “red shoe” gifts from my readers, who understood their power.  But during the night, my shoes slip away and I am left to fight the monster of grief that lives in my dreams barefoot.  The monster comes when it wants, and rears it’s ugly head through the darkness of my experiences. 

My bravest moments, is after I have awakened, and when I have to reach the very deep to find my peace, find my shoes…..in the middle of the night.

I had the most wonderful conversation with a good friend that I have know since we were small children.  She is a part of my story and stayed with me through my darkest days.  I called her today,  and we spoke of small talk and big talk.  She knew instinctively something was wrong.   Two hours later, she had walked me through all of it, didn’t tell me what to do, but assured me that I would find my way, and that I was still  brave.  She found my red shoes for me today and gently put them back on my feet.

Friendship is such a powerful gift.  And so my friends, find your friends on those days when the monster of grief comes a knockin’  and is relentless.  Let them wash your feet, and put your shoes on again.

I have learned so much about the importance of compassion through my journey and want to pay it forward.  It is the ultimate gift I have received through this ominous walk.  A silver lining that came with a huge price, but I am thankful everyday for it all.