My Home

Three o'clock in the morning 

On a Friday

Is when you discover

That home is not a place

But a person

And wherever they go

That is where your home is

Home is the person

That loves you

No matter what

And the feeling

Of being accepted 

No matter what

Home is being welcomed

Back into the fold

Like the prodigal son

Without question

Without reservation 

Home is knowing 

You are safe here 

Even when life is hard

Even when you don't agree

Even when your feelings get hurt

Home is knowing 

The lamp will be on

The tea is waiting

There's snacks in the fridge 

And the best blanket is for sharing 

Home is knowing 

That no one is running away

No one is leaving

And when you call

They always answer

Home is not a place

Not a country

Not a city

Not a house

Home is my person

Waiting up at three o'clock in the morning 

On a Friday

Doing the World Different

I don't want to be like everyone else.
I want to do the world differently. 

I want to be okay with not being okay. 
I want to make friends with my demons. 
I want to sit in the dark with people. 
I want to find beauty in the tragedy. 
I want to try and try and try again. 
I want to stay when things get hard. 
I want to forgive the unforgivable. 
I want to love the unlovable. 

I want to be patient with those who are impatient.
I want to be kind to those who are unkind. 
I want to be strong for those who are weak. 
I want to be steady for those who are shaking. 
I want to be soft for those who are hard. 
I want to be a safe space for those who feel shame. 
I want to keep my heart open with those who have shut down. 

I want to check on the people who wouldn't think about checking on me. 
I want to cross oceans for people who wouldn't cross the street for me. 
I want to keep loving the people that leave me. 
I want to believe in the fundamental goodness of people. 

In a world that has tried to silence my voice, I choose to speak. 
In a world that has given me reason to weep, I choose to laugh. 
In a world that has given me an overwhelming burden to carry, I choose to dance. 
In a world that has given me reason to be afraid, I choose to find joy. 
In a world that has given me reason to hate, I choose to spread love.

And just like that, the magic has returned.

Life Unfolding

I hate the version of my life that doesn't have you in it. 

I hate the empty spaces in my home.  

I hate the gaps in my day that you used to fill.

I hate that I will never hold you again or hear you laugh.

Life doesn't stop for me. 

Life doesn't end for me. 

There will be laughter and tears, love and loneliness. 

There will be grand adventures and quiet nights staying in. 

Life will keep unfolding without you. 

I will appear to be happy without you. 

But I will always hate the version of my life that doesn't have you in it.