When Life Hands You Lemons, Make Grape juice. Then everyone will wonder how you did it.

Through this difficult time, I feel as if I should be contemplative and think about life... How quickly it passes, how short it can feel.  Most people would probably take a moment to look within themselves and reach for something good, strive to make a mark on the world and a difference in the lives of people they cherish because you  never known which day will be your last.

I decided to look for inspirational life quotes, something that would speak to the inner me, something deep and meaningful that would make my heart skip a beat and make my soul scream, "Yes!  Yes!  That's it!  That's my inner truth!"

We've all seen those beautiful pictures of sand covered beaches, sunsets, beautiful women walking thoughtfully at the edge of the waves, with lovely words of hope, determination and strength written across them... 

Is it just me, or does it look like she's wearing a pull-up?

We all have those friends who find these pictures, place a hand to their hearts, and through misting tears post them on Facebook to share these thoughts with the world...

Normally, I'm not one of those friends.  

I'm the friend looking at the picture and placing my palm to my mouth and emitting a loud raspberry in response to convey my feelings about this imagery.  

(I'm kind of an asshole, in case you didn't know.)

Life has kicked me around some.  I've dealt with tragedy, gone through a long and stupid divorce, was estranged from most of my family because I chose to do the right thing, raised three boys pretty much on my own, survived flooding that destroyed all of my belongings, been so extremely poor that I couldn't feed my children... And on it goes. 

Rainbows, sunsets, sandy beaches and platitudes didn't describe any of the feelings I had while going through all of that.  

For me, it was more like this:

I am going to share with you the inspirational thoughts that speak to me.  These are the words that get me up in the morning, make my little light shine during the day, and comfort me as I lie awake in bed all night (because I've been out of Ambien for like a month, so when I'm in bed, I'm not sleeping).  

I hope these words touch your heart as they've touched mine; I hope you feel motivated to share these thoughts with your friends and loved ones as you reach out to them and let them know you care.

Let's begin with my childhood:

Every year for Christmas I asked my parents for a pony.  I never got one.  It pissed me off, year after year.  All my friends had ponies, I would sob... But my cruel and heartless parents didn't care.  My little heart was broken.  I yearned for a pony... a black one, with a white star on it's forehead.  I was going to name it Stardust and love it forever and ever.  

This speaks to my inner child:

That's right, mom and dad... sleep with one eye open.

Moving along through life...

Okay, not really... But admit it, this spoke to you.  Right?

I don't think I've ever been very far-sighted (not in the literal sense... I'm actually pretty far-sighted, but only in one eye.  In the other eye, I'm legally blind.  True, sad story, y'all).  I am a Sagittarius through and through, flying by the seat of my pants and landing in a pile of shit, only to come up blinking and saying, "WTF?"  It's not one of my finer points, but it is who I is.  And as I sashayed through life without one single plan, this quote touches my very soul:

Admit it... you'd be SO disappointed if I didn't include at least one disgusting image of a fat man naked.

Feel the emotion...

Feel the determination...

Feel the hope...

Embrace who you are...

And always remember and never forget....

If you tickle me, there's a very good chance that I'll kick you in the junk.  Now you know.

Thanks to everyone who offered me love, support, hugs and prayers.  I appreciate it so much!  I spent yesterday reading your blogs and laughing and feeling my heart begin to beat again.  So much love to my friends out there roaming around in the blogosphere!  You make me happy.