It is an August evening, and the candles’ flames dance with the moist breeze through your open windows, as the rain peacefully falls upon the world outside. The white lace curtains billow, as the night will go on forever
 
 

The sight and sounds of the carnival, as the smell of sawdust and cotton-candy fill the air

Autumn leaves swirl down the bricks in the bright sunshine, and the scent of wood smoke lingers

The innocence and charm of a small town on a summer's eve

Renewal in the morning light, as the birds greet the new day

Delirious from the smell of newly mown grass

The aroma of the ocean and feel of the sun, the predictable crash of the surf and the sound of the gulls

Exhilaration of love, knowing that all is attainable

A gentle rain in the forest, a walk in the fresh meadows

To anguish, if inadvertently hurting someone, or suffer misunderstanding

To become one, after unwillingly causing tears, never forgetting the compassion after that moment of unison

With the snow outside, you are warmed twice; once by your mutual love, and again by the fireplace which creates dancing shadows

Knowing that true friends are forever, wherever, whenever

To choose your many roles in life, and perform them on this stage

Travelling by air to a role in life, seeing it with this new perspective, planning now how to play your part

To be whisked away to another time and place by that sound, touch, or scent

Sunday at the zoo, an afternoon at the museum

Regretting only those things that you did not do

To go from student to teacher, or follower to leader

That there is only now, as the past and future are void without it

Seeing the familiar in a different light, understanding a new meaning

Good-byes are never, but at first seem forever

To travel far to find yourself, discovering that you always knew, and it doesn't matter where you are

To be with a soul mate, when  hours are but a single moment in which the world gives you an island, and that moment is never enough to share

Foregiveness

Piano by candlelight during a storm, creating serenity amidst turmoil

The realization that wherever you are, your entire life has led to this moment


May you always be aware of the consequence of your choices, starting with the next...