A Fork in the Road...

Every weekend I start to think about my column. Once an idea hits, it tends to stick. I really debated what came to mind this time. The anniversary of 9/11 paired with some other news I heard and I'm feeling a little somber. This weekend, a friends of mine's mother passed away. We used to be very close friends, but time and distance have made us lose touch a bit. When I heard the news I contacted her right away. How do you express your heartbreak when someone loses someone so dear to them? There seems to be good years in life, and years that are more of a struggle. I started this year off attending a funeral for a 17 year old boy. I grew up with his parents and grandparents. Their home was like a second home to me. Once again, time and distance made me lose touch, but their homes are always open when we are back in Colorado. In early January, Tanner's grandparents each had some trips to the hospital. This past May, his grandfather passed away. We lost his grandmother in July, In April a dear friend's 14 year-old son had his second open heart surgery, I was able to be at the hospital during his surgery. I needed to make sure he was ok. Needless to say, he recovered quickly! He was out of the hospital in three short days. The fork in the road. Often, times one direction is muddy; you may need 4-wheel drive to navigate it. The other road has a few bumps, but looks a lot smoother. Do we take the muddy road, climb our way through all the emotions? Do we go the other way, avoid the rough spots and not look back. I tend to take the muddy road. I am all for a challenge. I am also one that can't sit by and watch a friend struggle in the mud alone. It seems the muddy road goes on for miles and miles. The smooth road is a short drive. The fork doesn't appear in just times of grief. Once in a while, it just appears. You come around a curve in the road and there it is. No matter which road you choose, you can't see what lies ahead. You have to just choose your path, and take it head on. A mother lost her child, a child lost her mother. These two roads seem to be some of the hardest roads to take. The mud is deep. Just when you think you've found the spot shallow enough to get out, you slip in again. That's when you call for reinforcements. No matter which road you choose, there is always someone nearby. They are off to the side, but ready to jump in at any moment. They carry the rope, they will pull you out. Enjoy the road when it is an easy beautiful drive, but keep your eyes peeled for the fork. It shows up far more often than we would like. When it does show up, put your boots on, take a deep breath and choose your path. I, for one, tend to think the muddier the road, the brighter the rainbow is at the end. Just keep your head up, and look forward, the rainbow is there.