To My Lions and Tigers and Bears

It's about time I learn to let go of some things. I've been through a lot of ups and downs this past year that I need to sit down and catch up on things. I need to take some time to figure some things out.

I've fallen and picked myself up at least half a dozen times every month this year. I've harbored ill-will and entertained thoughts of slipping muriatic acid into certain people's food. I've laughed till I cried at jokes I've heard a thousand times and I've thrown a law book across the room out of frustration at least once this past week. Too much has been going on that I failed to appreciate the better things in life.

I failed to appreciate what good friends I have, who are all willing to stick with me through good times and the bad. I failed to see that there are still people who have faith in others, those that see the good inside everyone.

I'm not yet ready to forgive those who hurt me-- I'm not that good enough a person yet. But I am a good enough person the thank the people in my life. I am thankful for the sun, brightening my day like nothing else can and I am thankful for the moon for being there after the sun has gone down. I am grateful for the stars that guided me on this journey called life and the knowledge it brings that I have something to look up to during the darkest of hours. I am grateful for the flowers along the path for making me feel better when I feel down and the thorns on the roses for teaching me to be careful. I am grateful for the rain for washing away my fears and my sorrows. Most of all, I am grateful for those that kept me company on this journey called life-- my lions and tigers and bears.

Two months of being a 25-year-old gave me a crash course on letting go. I also learned to let go of the past... past memories, past loves and learned to live a life that isn't based on the what-ifs of the world. I had to let go of what I had (and what I thought I had) to make room for new things in my life. I learned how to sort through the memories and the people, through clothes and shoes, books and photographs, cases and scratch paper. I'm closer to figuring out which ones have to go and which ones to keep. I will surely keep my lions and tigers and bears with me.