7:30 a.m. Family drama
8:00 a.m. Coffee date.... with a single man
What a way to start the day! 30 minutes before going on a (informal, maybe wasn't really) date, the assumed responsibilities for my family threatens to steal all joy from this momentous (for me) occasion.
In all seriousness, there was a time not too long ago when I would have cancelled the date and spent most of the day obsessing about how to fix the problems I was presented with. Instead, I chose not to do that. I went on that coffee date and I went to lunch with friends. And although tears threatened throughout the day, I chose to keep walking through it.
I get to chose to have a different life than what was originally handed to me. Throughout the day, I was reminded that I have friends who've hoped and believed that for me for much longer than I have.
Good men are trustworthy, kind, care and listen without expecting anything in return. For most of my life, I didn't know any good men. Today, two such men reached out and listened to a bit of my story. One encouraged me to be strong. One encouraged me with how well he thought I was handling it (family drama). Both gave me hugs that left me feeling safe and less alone. There are not words to describe what a miracle it is to have that and what healing has occurred because of it.
And then there are my girlfriends who thoroughly enjoy hearing me giggle and share meaningless details of 10 minute conversations. Who have encouraged me to "get out there". Who take joy from how happy I am. Who have believed I'm someone worth dating, while I'm just starting to.
All around me today, I experienced love in it's best form. Tangible, healing and joyful.
I choose to focus on that. The healing that's occurred (by God's grace). The love I am privileged to experience (I love y'all right back). The joy that comes from looking forward to tomorrow (and a future lunch date).
