Harder still..

It is  not often that the past is on my mind..
I have healed from even the worst,
and have learned the lessons well.

but once in a while...

Lately at work I have been tired!
I even uttered the phrase;
"Hardest I have ever worked in my life"..

and then I remembered...

A time in my life when I was woken before the sun,
and my morning started at a run.
sitting was not an option..not for leisure!
There was a large house to clean spotlessly,
an office to manage,
Children to homeschool.
errands to run,
meals to cook,
swim lessons to teach,
boxes to carry,
lists to follow,
schedules to keep!

After all;
I had to earn my keep!

Not to mention:
there were verbal bullets to dodge,
and refuge from deep hurt to seek!

My day began early!
It ended late!

A real life cinderalla..
with no hope of a prince!

I was SO tired!
I remember 
KNOWING
that I would probably never work
so hard again !
I knew then..
that come what may...
No matter what was to come
as a single mom....
I had faced the worst!!

And yet,
I forget!

The memories fade..
The pain is lost...
The fabric of the experience
woven deep within my mind!

Until now:
when I need the memory,
when I need to draw on my past!

That is why we learn the lessons!
So that when we feel we cannot go on,
when we are weary-
when hope feels far away;
we can draw from what 'was'
and be reminded that it shall
never 'be' again..
and our strength from 'then'
provides the very needed
'push' for now.

Lessons well learned
become strength in reserve!

A life long friend ...

This is a happy birthday..
To a woman I call my best friend still..

We met when we were 14...
Something connected us!
She was blond with brown eyes..
I was brunette with blue!
She needed just a few close friends-
I never met someone
I did not think I would know for life!
She was crazy..
I was ditzy!
She was the good student
I was a mess!
She has an insanely clean room
I had never seen my floor!!
We balanced each other!

Our high school years were spent
Having sleepovers ...
Perming each others hair
And piercing our own ears!:)
Going to concerts and of course
Talking about boys!

The friendship that formed
Was thicker then the tears we each cried
over puppy love
And high school drama-
It carried us through decades of life to come!

Hers was the voice I wanted to hear
When I felt all alone and miles from home..
She was the friend I turned too
When my dreams turned into a nightmare...
She wiped my tears and held my hand!

As time passed and I refound my footing
Our friendship has evolved
And we have become each others safe place!

We don't have to talk daily or even weekly..
And yet when we are together
It's as if time has stood still!

I am thankful beyond measure
For a friendship
That has stood the test of time and trials..
Happy birthday nance!!!