04/20/2022
I’m supposed to be working on the edits for my forthcoming book right now, but something keeps nudging me. And when something won’t let up, I know I’ve got to stop and write it down.
The following passage won’t be properly punctuated, and it won’t be for everyone, but the good stuff never is.
I am calling it THE DAY AFTER…
If this weekend was hard
and things were different than in the past…
and you felt disappointed or inadequate or cheated or scared….
and you’ve carried those emotions into today…
and now today is here, bombarding you with reminders that the weekend wasn’t what you hoped or expected or deserve, then please listen…
You are here.
You are HERE.
You made it through a painful weekend.
You cried some.
You remembered to breathe.
You found something to laugh about.
You helped.
You listened.
You cared.
You tried.
Oh, how you tried.
These routine tasks are worthy of celebration and can simply NOT be ignored today,
the Day After the Hard Weekend You Overcame.
My friend, if life feels so fragile right now that you don’t even know where to pick it up, then:
Pick it up gently.
Pick it up with compassion.
Pick it up slowly, one breath at a time.
Pick it up with the words: “I AM HERE.”
© Rachel Macy Stafford 2022
Image description: On a white paper-looking background with two creases, the following quote by Rachel Macy Stafford is written in gray lettering: “If life feels so fragile right now that you don’t even know where to pick it up, then: Pick it up gently. Pick it up slowly, one breath at a time. Pick it up with the words: I AM HERE.”
