A Sweet Story

There's a cute old man who works at a parking lot that I always walk by on my way to work. He's usually the first person I talk to every morning, which may sound strange, but I think it's kind of neat. I don't even know his name.

I haven't seen him in a few days, but this morning when I was passing by, he quickly made his way over to me. He then gave a big smile and said, "I missed you Monday" and handed me a heart-shaped lollipop.

{The best part was that the wrapper was kind of tattered, as though he had been carrying it around in his pocket until he saw me again.}

What he doesn't realize, is that this piece of candy means so much more to me than a Valentine's Day treat. It's a measure of kindness a stranger can extend, and a reminder of the impact one seemingly unrelated life can have on another. Use it wisely, use it kindly.

Inspiration

I did not create this picture or this saying, but I feel a strong connection to it. This phrase has been getting me through the day lately, and while I'm waiting for all my pieces to fall into place, it has been a source of strength for me to keep on.

{Having amazing friends doesn't hurt either.}

Image via Pink Wallpaper via Fern and Feather

FriEND-ings

The end of a friendship... Is there anything worse? Looking back on my shortish life, there are more friendships than I'd like to mention that haven't lasted the test of time. Sometimes by my will, sometimes by the will of others, and sometimes the by the will of the others' significant other (lame.)

I think that what makes a friend break-up so painful, is that there is rarely one cause. In a typical relationship, there is usually a point of clarity where you realize it's not meant to be. Maybe someone cheated, maybe the spark is gone, maybe your boyfriend really WAS gay, and you should have listened to your friends about it, but he was so SWEET and the sex was great and.... I digress. With a friendship, however, there isn't usually one event. It's more likely a slow, sad realization that the relationship has changed, and as painful as it is to shut the other person out and move on, you finally see that they haven't been the friend they used to be.

And sometimes you have that one friend, who although the friendship is a shadow of its former self, and you can't even trust the other person anymore, they're still somehow irreplaceable. You hold on, get hurt, and live for those precious few moments when they make you laugh. Everyone around you asks why you don't just walk away, but they don't understand how you cling to the good times in hopes of a return to your glory days.

There is nothing worse than ending a friendship, and it's an extremely difficult decision to make, but I find that if you look into your heart, you almost always know the right answer.