Among my varied jobs over the years, I have worked as a journalist and as a communications director for a pediatric hospital.  Because of those experiences, I have been exposed to a wide variety of people; people from all sorts of backgrounds, from all walks of life and with all sorts of beliefs.  And as I’ve gotten older, I realize that whether I “liked” these people or not was not the reason God brought them into my life.  He brought them into my life so I could learn and grow.

I have been very blessed to be a part of my current faith community.  During these last few years, and especially during these last few months, they have been so important in my journey forward.  And every day they teach me something.

I want to share wise words from my friend Mariana.  She shared these words with her friends today…

(Prompt: Who would you want to see again?)
“My 18 yo-runaway-self so I can show her that I find someone to love & own a home of my own – it did get better.”

This side of town is darker than I remembered, grungier. I remembered it as an artistic, safe-ish place, full of fun and interesting people; seeing it now, I wonder how this ever seemed appealing. I don’t go to areas like this, not at night.

But it’s December 1987, and I know I have a hard year behind and ahead of me. I’ve thought about it for a long time—these visits don’t come cheap—and this seems like the best time for me to come, to offer myself another chance. I’ll have another tough year after this, but I remember how terrible this winter was for me. I hope that coming now will mean I’m happier.

I pull…