Marisa Donnelly

You are rescued from pain.

Sometimes I forget how impermanent this life is, how fragile and breakable we are, how temporary our existence is. And sometimes I need a little reminder; we all need a little reminder.

It was you who taught me that time and distance don’t have power over a real connection. It was you who showed me that real love doesn’t leave, doesn’t run, doesn’t fade when the roads turn and twist.

You have to remind yourself that a new day lies before you, untouched and unhindered. And you have to find it within yourself to take a breath, to put one foot in front of the other, to step forward, to let what happens happen, to trust that today is new.

Promise to be stronger than your yesterdays, and hopeful for your tomorrows. Today is here, and today hurts. But today will soon be done and gone.

You feel whole on your own.

Thank you for loving me. Thank you for loving me despite my flaws, despite my sins, despite all the ways I won’t and never will measure up to your perfection. Thank you for giving me a second chance, a third chance, a three millionth chance to start again, and to love me, unconditionally.

I’m slowly learning to let it be. To take deep breaths when I’m faced with conflict, to remind myself that I’m only human, and I will try and fail and still not be any less.

With you, I realize it’s not about what you need. It’s not about who you want me to be. It’s not about molding myself to fit into your arms. It’s not about making you happy at the cost of losing myself.

I always do this, don’t I God? I always forget that you’re the one with the road map, the navigation, the airbags and seat belts. You’re the one watching over me, guiding me, reminding me, again and again, that I don’t have to do this alone.

You value the relationships that you do have, instead of focusing on the ones you don’t.

Someone that truly loves you won’t have to spew angry words when things don’t work out as planned. They won’t be so quick to say you aren’t worthy of love; they will be that love, rather than force you to look for it elsewhere.

The ones we love and lose don’t leave us. They don’t fade. They don’t just disappear into the fabric of our pasts; they are intricately woven in, permanently and beautifully.

Find someone who puts passion into your soul. Whose every word is captivating, and who hangs on every syllable that falls from your lips.

Forgiving someone doesn’t mean you allow them a free passage back into your heart. It doesn’t mean that you open the doors to your life and give them the key.

In this life, I hope we stop second guessing. When we see someone we have feelings for, we find the words—the imperfect, honest words—and let them spill out of our mouths. When we feel at home in someone’s arms, we share that with them, vulnerability so raw it hurts.

Even if you feel little or lost, know this—the universe isn’t done with you yet. You are only beginning.

I’m learning that it’s okay to love what was, but infinitely better to appreciate and focus on what is.