Two days after mum passed I took a dear child down to the beach. It was freezing cold. Hazey. The thick fog created a wall that allowed us to not see the ocean ahead. I always found that day to symbolize what my life was like in that given moment. Unsure what was in my future. What was ahead. No matter how hard I tried to envision what a life without mum would be like- I couldn’t. With a 7 year old clenched to my hand, lips shivering she looked up to me and asked “what are we supposed to do?”

“RUN. RUN” I said

and she took off. She ran through the fog and I followed behind her. I admired that child’s strength and optimism. She was certain. She somehow understood.

and i followed.

We ran till at last we stood, feet freezing in the water.

The ocean (reality) had stopped us from running any further.

(out of breath)

I stood frozen.

There is front of me stood a large mass of ocean(grief) It was BIGGER than me and scared me more than anything.

I saw flashes of what never would be. I saw the life I knew and loved with mum vanish.

I saw hope and fear.

Grief had struck me. This new life force had arrived-and for a split second that morning I truly believed I could RUN from it all.

but the truth is…YOU can never RUN from trials in life.

Life can show no mercy at times.

You have to face it head on.

You just have to face life with a heart full of faith and love.

and I can promise you… You will be okay. You will.