Michele 1 #1 December 30, 2002 As this year wanes, I look back on the path I have traveled. It turns and it twists, neither straight nor narrow. Rather, it is wide and well used, little trails leading off the side, being swallowed in the fields and forests surrounding it. It is the road I've walked, this year, and it resembles nothing I had imagined. No resolution made it to the first of February, no plan survived the January storms. I have encountered many unexpected events, and have come to this side of the year whole and healthy. I have struggled mightily, winning some battles and losing others. I have felt the slice of knife-sharp words, spoken in haste and pride from my own mouth as well as from others' mouths. I have known the damage of ridicule, and felt the sting of rejection and righteousness from a source I had sought for their knowledge and approval. And yet, I have been soothed by the smile of a child. In the eyes of a child, there is wonder and awe and exploration, and I have seen those eyes watch me and love me and sweep me off my feet. Small soft arms encircling my neck, and creeping 'round my shoulders, I have held a child as he fell asleep, innocent and trusting and pure. I have forgiven, and have asked forgiveness both. I have run from fears, and have met them headlong as well. I have delayed and I have procrastinated, but I have also moved forward with a speed which surprises me. In many ways, I have gone both backward and forward, sometimes at the same instant. And I wonder at this, my life. I wonder at the ability to surmount that which looks insurmountable, but falter at the small crack. I wonder at my heart's ability to have enough faith that the sun will rise tomorrow, and it's ability to stay here through another dark, bleak night, cold and scared, alone and lonely. I have seen glory and heartbreak, happiness and disillusionment, financial austerity and emotional wealth. I have both made and lost friends, kept and broke promises, and learned of the heart's capacity to try again, yet again. I have learned of humankind's capacity to heal and to hurt, in both large and small ways. I have seen both tears and smiles, successes and failures, hope and depression. I have seen both sunsets and dawns, and heard the wails of bereaved as well as the birdsong of birth. I gave my heart away, and received it back soon thereafter. I have reached inward and outward, gave of myself and received of others' selves. I have been hurt and I have been loved; I have let go and I have regained my footing, stumbling, struggling, fighting. I have been on intimate terms with a surgeon's scalpel, and have spoken - pled, if truth be told - with the Angel of Death for leniency in the passing of many friends this year. I have found myself awed by their grace in dying, and in their gifts to the living...and I remember them with both joy and sorrow. I have heard the first cries of a newborn, and seen her face, squished and startled, breathing alone for the first time. I have seen completion of lives, consummations of love, and beginnings of dreams. I have cried many nights through, and I have learned some harsh lessons. I have also played in the rain and slept in the sunshine. I have soared among the clouds, and danced along the path of the moon. I have listened to the many-layered music of the world, and I have listened to the solitary music of a beating heart. I have no idea what the path in front of me contains. I know, however, that I will walk it with experience harvested, lessons learned, and surrounded by friendships and dreams. I will follow my heart's direction, wherever it may take me, however rough the path, however scared I may be. I will follow it, for it leads forward. Ciels- Michele Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
misskriss 0 #2 December 30, 2002 QuoteSmall soft arms encircling my neck, and creeping 'round my shoulders, I have held a child as he fell asleep, innocent and trusting and pure. okay......i'm teary...... remembering my precious babies.....when they were babies.....and now....little women.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
f1freak 0 #3 December 30, 2002 Wow, Michele..... I only wish i could write like that.... Thanks for sharing that with me.... HAVE FUN... ...JUST DONT DIE Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hooked 0 #4 December 30, 2002 Once again.......Michele, thank you for such a heartwarming post. You write so very well and from your heart. I'm so glad you have 'crossed my path' here on the forums, I have learned from you. May your New Year be the best ever! J -------------------------------------- Sometimes we're just being Humans.....But we're always Human Beings. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dumpster 0 #5 December 30, 2002 Michele- YOU ROCK!! I hope your path leads you to wonderful things! Thanks so much for sharing with us! --Lenny Easy Does It Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ladyskydiver 0 #6 December 30, 2002 Thank you, Michele! As always your post is wonderful. I'm going to have to start learning to keep Kleenex near by when reading your posts. May the years ahead of you bring as much joy, happiness and love as you can stand. **going off to find Kleenex and buy stock in the company**Life is short! Break the rules! Forgive quickly! Kiss slowly! Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably. And never regret anything that made you smile. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rhino 0 #7 December 30, 2002 Ummm... That was deep.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jceman 1 #8 December 30, 2002 Good lord, woman, you DO have a way with words. Thank you for that essay. May the best and worst come your way in the next year for you will surely be able to handle it and appreciate all of it for its true worth. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RichM 0 #9 December 30, 2002 Awesome, humbling, warming, you touch me across the ether. I wish you well for the future.Rich M Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jtval 0 #10 December 30, 2002 Quote I'm going to have to start learning to keep Kleenex near by when reading your posts. thats something I'd expect Clay to say! LOL I will sit here in silence about Michele's writing, it has been said Still holds true!My photos My Videos Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #11 December 30, 2002 Quote thats something I'd expect Clay to say! That's only needed when Jessica talks dirty to me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gawain 0 #12 December 30, 2002 Michele, Please tell me you submit your work to various publications with intent of developing a column. Do you realize that all you have to do is put a (c) 2002 Michele Lesser to protect your work while submitting it... I think this talent is your calling...in fact, it's screaming, yelling, kicking, tugging... edit...small corrections... So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright 'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life Make light! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hooked 0 #13 December 30, 2002 Developing a column......perfect!!!!! This really is Michele's callingJ -------------------------------------- Sometimes we're just being Humans.....But we're always Human Beings. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michele 1 #14 December 31, 2002 QuotePlease tell me you submit your work to various publications with intent of developing a column. Um well, I could tell you that. But I wouldn't be telling you the truth. I wonder how one goes about doing/getting that kind of thing? Quote Do you realize that all you have to do is put a (c) 2002 Michele Lesser to protect your work while submitting it... Hmmmmmm. I hadn't thought of that. Good suggestion. Oh, this next year is gonna get really interesting, I think. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jessica 0 #15 December 31, 2002 QuoteI wonder how one goes about doing/getting that kind of thing? Hee hee. Contact your local paper and ask to do guest op/ed pieces. They're usually happy for the copy.Skydiving is for cool people only Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michele 1 #16 December 31, 2002 QuoteContact your local paper and ask to do guest op/ed pieces. They're usually happy for the copy. Like the LA Times? Or the Daily News? But...but...they're huge and gigantic everone reads them and really good writers work there and geesh.... Hee hee yourself. Me's scared...(hey, where's the scared icon???)... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jessica 0 #17 December 31, 2002 Well, no reason not to start at the top, but if you get no love there, I'm sure there are a dozen community newspapers who would be very happy to hear from you.Skydiving is for cool people only Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hooked 0 #18 December 31, 2002 Quote Like the LA Times? Or the Daily News? But...but...they're huge and gigantic everone reads them and really good writers work there and geesh.... Hee hee yourself. Me's scared...(hey, where's the scared icon???)... Ciels- Michele Geesh! Michele, we keep telling you, you are a good writer! Yes, start with the big newspapers. Lots of people do read it, but think how many people see your postings on here! Yes, it will be a very interesting year for you, a good year! You go for it! J -------------------------------------- Sometimes we're just being Humans.....But we're always Human Beings. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cepheus 0 #19 December 31, 2002 Start with the highest paying publication and work your way down. And don't be scared of rejections letters. They're a part of the experience. -- Skydive -- testing gravity, one jump at a time. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ladyskydiver 0 #20 December 31, 2002 Go with LA Times. Heck, woman, you jump out of airplanes. How scary can it really be to submit your work to a newspaper when you're stuff rocks?Life is short! Break the rules! Forgive quickly! Kiss slowly! Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably. And never regret anything that made you smile. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Muenkel 0 #21 December 31, 2002 That was awesome Michele. However...when you write you should always consider your audience. Now write us a trashy novel. _________________________________________ Chris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
spinmaster 0 #22 December 31, 2002 Quote I have no idea what the path in front of me contains. I know, however, that I will walk it with experience harvested, lessons learned, and surrounded by friendships and dreams. I will follow my heart's direction, wherever it may take me, however rough the path, however scared I may be. I will follow it, for it leads forward. Those are some powerful words there. I feel better about the coming year just from reading it. May your 2003 be filled with a clear path and lots of blue sky. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Iflyme 0 #23 December 31, 2002 Michele, my wish for you as we are perched on the brink of 2003: Good health and safety. I know life will present new challenges in the coming year for all of us ... I just hope that you find the skies blue everytime you head to the DZ. Happy New Year! Frank Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
