I Lit a Candle for You Today

I lit a candle for you today. You had been on my mind and in my heart for some time. I’ve been praying for you for days, for weeks, for months and years.

Today was a little different though and a lot the same, too. I walked toward the candles and knew that today was the day to light one for you. I knew exactly which candle to light. It was in the middle surrounded by both lit and unlit candles. I picked a used match to start the flame because I wanted it to carry the prayers and strength of others as well.

It took the candle some time to ignite. The match was getting shorter and shorter. Eventually at the same time the votive took flame the dark part of the match fell into the melted wax. The flame immediately took on the added strength of the burning wood. I was struck by the thought that although the darkness of the match seemed to be marring the serene white of the candle, it instead reminded me of how brightly light shines in the darkness.

Even in the darkest moments of our lives, light has the ability to shine even brighter.

I smiled hoping that you would also realize this.

I drove home in the gray and rain of today thinking about how this darkness and dampness would lead to the beauty of spring and new life. I thought about the great decisions you are making that are opening up opportunities for light and new life to spring abundantly in you as well.

I lit a candle for you today, dear one, but you should know the light was already there, blazing brightly for you. I hope you, too, light a candle for yourself sometime soon, and...

I love you. I love you. I love you.

With love and light,
LT

Do Right. Easier Said Than Done.

Why does doing the right thing tend to seem hard?

Saying something nice instead of what you’re really thinking.

Going against the majority because you’re acting in someone’s best interest.

Not taking that drink.

Taking time to reflect before reacting.

Getting up when you’re down.

Exercising.

Speaking out.

Why? Because in the moment it feels easier not to make that choice. But guess what. That choice that seemed easier keeps weighing on you. Instead of one moment being hard you get minutes, hours, days, years, lifetimes of hard. In an instant, just choosing to do right could change your life for the better. It really is an instant. And guess what happens almost in the instant that you do the right? Your heart let’s go. You breathe easier. You rest easier. You live easier. You love easier. You enjoy easier. Easier. Easier. Easier.

Easier said than done, huh?

So what was it that was easier?

#doright #withloveandlight

E.T. I'll be right here.

We watched “E.T.” tonight with our children. Abby is eight and William is six. It was fantastic.

After trying for many days to get a babysitter so my husband and I could go out to see a movie on our own, I gave up and proposed that instead we have a family movie night. Andrew suggested “E.T.” explaining that every child must see it. I’m not sure why, but I hesitated. As I looked through the other options, I honestly couldn’t imagine any other movie available being any better. I was right. Andrew was most definitely right.

Watching E.T. with our children for the first time was magical. I can only imagine what it was like for my parents when we first watched it together. Andrew and I had the added bonus of having seen the movie before and having the opportunity to help our children through some of the parts they found intense with the promise of hope.

I love, love, loved being reminded how those children stood up against every authority in their lives to protect the innocent, to do what was right and ultimately to save a life. I was amazed at the simplicity and yet complexity of the movie. My heart soared.

I will declare it now, regardless of technological achievements, the group bike escape and flying scene is the greatest movie scene of all times.

My heart is full of joy and hope. Thank you, Steven Spielberg. Your gift of creating meaningful relationships through characters and story continues to amaze me movie after movie. I so appreciate this special evening and memory you have given my family.

"I'll be right here."

With love and light,

LT