Welcome to the most beautiful place I have ever known...Lavender Nest Cottage. I helped to build it in our back yard. I wish everyone could have a special place like this, too. Inside, I spin wool, knit, and create beautiful still life paintings using oil paints or water colors...and try to wash away my childhood.

It's funny though, how for my entire childhood I dreamed of having a small place to decorate with unique, albeit fragile birds' nests and plenty of pretty pieces from nature. Accessible by a moss-covered stone path bordered by daffodils, I would make it my own. There was no need for a front door because I trusted that those who found my safe little place would come to find happiness there, just like me. I would welcome them with open arms. In fact, had I known you back then, I'd have invited you to come join me. Together we could steal away from our abusers long enough to heal. We could dream about a future for us that would be filled with kindness, acceptance, and unconditional love.

We visit this blog from all walks of life. We each appear different, perceive and pursue life uniquely, and ultimately, through choice or fate, end up where we are now. While basic survival dictates our immediate goal, our dreams, our desires and determination to achieve them dictate our options. Unfortunately, without necessary means, our choices dwindle. Life depends upon our ability to find basics like shelter and sustenance. We need some sort of income to fulfill these basic needs. Sometimes our only choice is to work in any job we find. 

With many types of employment there are restrictions and requirements.  Many positions dictate whether we wear hospital scrubs, mechanic coveralls, chef uniforms, business attire, or everyday, regular innocuous clothing. There are many jobs and many options for how we assume our roles. Most interestingly, however, what your job title entails may tell nothing about the soul living deep within you. A soul that has a job of its own, and a job description that, if visible to us all, would remain unfulfilled. Permanently. The reality is that no salary would suffice to live the life of a soul that has been twisted and tormented.

Did you just hear that noise?

I did! It was my own heart...happily beating away! And since you are reading this, I am thrilled to know that your heart continues to beat, as well! You see, we are survivors, and every now and then, we need to be reminded of that.

Those endless nights we cried ourselves to sleep, and those days we wished had never even begun...They are over. We have turned that page- and are busily rewriting our own story. Oh, we have so much time to make up for and wake up for!