do not be anxious.

i didn't feel like writing a humpday happy list this week. even though i feel like i want my blog to be a place where people (read: my family) come to read about the happy things going on in my life, and to find things that hopefully make them feel happy/inspired/warm/fuzzy, sometimes it's better to just be real.and real hit pretty hard this past week. there have been a lot of tears, and tears from me are a pretty rare occurrence. Mister Man has been giving me extra hugs when i get home from work everyday just because he can tell that i need them (he's been home all week, so that's a happy thing!). i have just felt a little bit lost all week, because the things happening around me seem to be so wrong. i've tried to stay away from the news, and to only read the stories of courage from out in connecticut, but the bad just seeps in like water through cracks.there is a heaviness when i think of all the sadness out there during a time that should be full of joy. i could talk about my views on everything from gun control to mental health to the state of society, but i would need to write a thesis paper to capture all the nuances of my thoughts on these things. wouldn't we all? i could never be eloquent enough to share them the right way here.so i look to ease the heaviness in other ways. i may not be able to get rid of it completely, and maybe i never will. maybe i'm past the point where i can put things to the side? there are so many people to worry about, and there are people who aren't even here yet who i will need to worry about down the road.at mass on sunday, the second reading was my favorite passage:"rejoice in the Lord always. i will say it again: rejoice! let your gentleness be evident to all. the Lord is near. do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." - philippians 4: 4-8for me, it means we can lay our heaviness down, it doesn't just have to be ours alone. we can have peace through sharing our burdens, and we should always, always, focus on the good. however small that good may be, it is there for us to turn our minds to. and knowing that, i feel lighter.throughout the Christmas season, i will be linking to my post about zach in every post. in the spirit of the season, please consider sharing his story and/or making a donation to the zach sobiech osteosarcoma fund. then give someone you love a hug.

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