Anything Considered

Life isn't easy. There are no guarantees! We are all imperfect, and we all make mistakes. And sometimes, all it takes to fail is a series of tiny mis-steps and unfortunate events.

Yet, in spite of how this may be awfully disenchanting, I must say I do believe it possible

- through all of life's vicissitudes -

to win.

Surprises can be delightful things. Not that I didn't see this one coming - I knew the weekend was being planned for - but I certainly ended up having a much better time than I had expected. And yes, even in spite of the tiredness from the bowling and the endless photo-taking and the heat of the day, I must say this is one of the birthdays I'll remember.

Indeed, people come and go, but a happy family stays together. It's been a good 21 years. Thank you, all. (:

It is so wonderfully strange and surprising how some simple things can make me feel so loved and so happy - especially when I haven't felt genuinely happy for some time.

This is the kind of good surprise that I would never expect; the kind of gift I would not think myself worthy of receiving.

But at the same time, this is the kind of thing that makes me smile. And remind me that sometimes, friends can be the most wonderful people in the world. Yes, even the relatively new ones. (:

I like personal gifts. They make me feel loved.

It started out as a feeling
Which then grew into a hope
Which then turned into a quiet thought
Which then turned into a quiet word

And then that word grew louder and louder
'Til it was a battle cry

I'll come back
When you call me
No need to say goodbye

Just because everything's changing
Doesn't mean it's never
Been this way before

All you can do is try to know
Who your friends are
As you head off to the war

Pick a star on the dark horizon
And follow the light

You'll come back
When it's over
No need to say good bye

You'll come back
When it's over
No need to say good bye

Now we're back to the beginning
It's just a feeling and no one knows yet
But just because they can't feel it too
Doesn't mean that you have to forget

Let your memories grow stronger and stronger
'Til they're before your eyes

You'll come back
When they call you
No need to say good bye

You'll come back
When they call you
No need to say good bye

REGINA SPEKTOR, The Call (Prince Caspian Soundtrack)

I think I'll miss those mornings when I wake up and the rain is pouring. I'd lie in bed and listen to all the sounds: the torrents and torrents of water that batter the windowsills and floor and rafters; trees creaking as they sway; their branches swinging wildly, and their leaves rustling in the wind.

I think I'll also miss what comes after, when the rain stops and the sun comes out and everything green starts to glisten and become all bright and sparkly and new.

Familiarity is comforting. And although I do feel somewhat afraid of a foreign land where the time of the day corresponds so strangely and peculiarly with the sun, I trust that there are always common things, familiar things, that I'll find comforting. The world is less different than we sometimes expect, and besides, what better tribute can we give to those we love other than treasuring and appreciating them better?

Time is too slow for those who wait, too swift for those who fear, too long for those who grieve, too short for those who rejoice, but for those who love, time is eternity.

HENRY VAN DYKE (1852-1933)