The Give and The Take

My birthday card to you
A few years ago I started making a list on my birthday. Yes, a to-do-list. I admit it. A to-do-list for the next year. As with any to-do-list, some things get done, some don't. Yep, rocket science. Last night, I was laying in bed, flipping channels, thinking what would go on this years. And then I had a thought....what have I done with last years list...meaning what did I accomplish on it or what was even on it. You got it, folks, I don't remember. But, I will share with you something I have learned.

The give and the take of it all.....

You hear those words at some point in your life.
That life is just a whole lotta give and take.
But where does that give and take happen in each of our own personal day to day?
And it suddenly appears that my life, the beautiful mess that is all my own...
exists on the give and the take.

Some days (or nights) at work I will give hours and hours of my time to disgruntled co-workers, pissy patients, foul bodily fluids and sometimes just plain boredom.
Sometimes I will take the pride in doing something good for a stranger.
I will bear witness to true true love in someone's eyes as they sit for hours at a bedside.
I will see hope as a patient packs their bags with no hair and 30 pounds lighter, but given that second chance.
I will hold a hand when life moves on...take their light and carry it with me everday.

When someone takes my feelings and is careless with them, takes my trust and makes me scared, or tries to take all of me and brand it unworthy...
I will give them forgiveness....they have made me stronger.

I have been given friends that have made me a better person, just because I know them.
They will give me endless hours of advice, they will give me comfort when I cry, they will scream "No, Stop, That's The Wrong Way" when I am so blinded by tears I take the wrong path.
And when I fall, they will stand in the background, whispering "We are still here", waiting patiently for me to stand up, dust myself off and see them clearly again. Never having left.
I will take their hands and walk proudly with them anywhere (no matter how many of them are named Jen)

I have taken my family for granted, complained about forgotten birthdays, skipped family functions and labeled them unimportant.
I see more and more each day that I have been given this family that is all my own. The people that are as lovely as they are flawed...make my roots and my future a beautiful weaving.
They have given me a Welcome Mat that will forever say You are a part of Us.

After all of the give and the take..I am left with all of you...and for that I am forever grateful.
Thank you all for being part of the last 31.