Grateful

I am grateful

For friends that reflect shadow and light
brilliance and deep presence

For our wisdom in pausing
taking time to separate baggage from the bullshit
wheat from the chaff

I am grateful

For Universe in sending teachers with hard lessons in the form of
old bosses and bureaucrats
For tricksters in the form of old lovers and crushes
For big egos that bring up the broken places and give urgency
for healing

I am grateful

For sending strong, bitter medicine disguised in shots
puncturing flesh on a cold, windy Virgina morning
For grief so strong, that only lighted candles
and tears will do
to overcome the darkest darkness

I am grateful

For calls to awaken
For signs, premonitions, and urgent prayers everywhere
For what, at first feels like betrayal and tragedy
reminds us in this moment
to take hold of this precious life
to hold our young ones close
to hold the unfolding of their consciousness even closer
And be Gratefully alive and gratefully,
aware