I did have a post prepared for this week but in light of the tragedy in Orlando, I’m left wondering what happened to the innocence we once enjoyed in our country. It has been years since I’ve felt that security that nothing could break us but I remember it well as a kid.

Wearing red, white and blue on July 4^th, eating rocket pops, swallowing a watermelon seed and wondering if a watermelon would grow in my stomach, playing outside until the street lights came on, going to the playground without parents, riding bikes up to the local mall, slumber parties, Friday nights at pizza parlors, these are the childhood experiences that make me happy.

I’ve really had a chance to stop and think about all the little things that make us whole and happy.

For example, yesterday as I looked at the flower garden my husband and I spent so much time on, not to mention money. Labored over for six weekends and still putting in time. I was just beginning to think we were doomed, that we just don’t get enough sun light, I put the seeds and bulbs in the ground too late, etc. All that work and not a single flower blooming. But today, I walked through the garden and saw one Morning Glory, walking further on, I saw one small bud on one of my Cosmos, then another small bud on a mystery stem. And I thought, maybe there’s hope yet.

Now my story can’t compare with heart breaking stories, the loss of a loved one or traumatic event but it’s these small things that make up our lives. We’re not just one faceted beings, there are things that shape us almost every day. The decision to hold the door for a total stranger, even when they’re several feet away (what is the appropriate amount of feet from the door that justifies holding it for others anyway?), the stranger in front of us struggling to pay for all of their groceries so you offer to help or the decision to try to stop in time from hitting the squirrel that ran out in front of your car.

Each day, the way we interact with others, family, friends, co-workers, even strangers, creates little chinks in time that make up our day and ultimately our lives.

Today, three of the victim’s funerals are being held in the Orlando area and there are groups moving in to riot and create nothing but hate and commotion at a time when the world could use a little more love and compassion. I’m not going to go more into this group because frankly, I just don’t want to waste my time and energy on them.

I don’t really have much of a point to this post but maybe just take a little time to stop and look around at the beauty, the ones you love and the freedoms we have.

Just a note on the title. I recently  began meditating and while my mantra changes on occasion, I tend to use peace, love and light pretty regularly. Feel free to use it for your own centering.

Peace, love and light to you all.