Penny For Your Thoughts

 How poetic is it that the Holy Father's last day on Earth was spent in a celebration of the resurrected life? It was spent with others. He probably knew he was dying and spent the day addressing the people and being among them. He lived to serve. He perfectly lived the name of "Francis." He was a proponent of love in this world. -Emma Lancaster

What do you do When that was supposed to wreck you And it simply Just  Didn't? When you've felt too much before So you can't feel anymore And the news simply Just  Drops? When your heart begins to shatter In a familiar pattern And your eyes are simply Just Dry? -Emma Lancaster

 And just like that, It's a rainy Sunday morning and you wake up to the love of your life bringing you breakfast in bed, cartoons playing softly in the background of that cozy, warm room where nothing matters but the fact that your whole heart is living, breathing, and sitting next to you. What a beautiful little life you have. -Emma Lancaster

 Day Seven Hundred and Six: My lovely little self who was so broken but healing, I'd like to appreciate her.  She worked so hard to heal from what hurt. Today, I am proud of her. My most interesting stories are not about boys I dated in high school. My biggest accomplishments are truly worth celebrating, as they came from hard work. I have picked the next step for my life and the person I'd like to step into it with. I'm trying so hard to have a relationship with God. I am working every day to find the good, just as I started to nearly two years ago. I am not perfect and I never will be, but they never lie to you when they tell you that things will get better. Today, I danced to songs from the 70s because I wanted to. -Emma Lancaster

 twenty one, you've just begun. but let me say, i'm proud. you're taking time and ignoring lies and you love feeling the sun. -Emma Lancaster

 If the world was gonna end Would you come see me again? Hold my hand until it's our time to go? Whisper softly in my ear, "I'll always love you, my dear," If the world was gonna end? Someday the sky will catch on fire And the one thing I'll desire Is your smile, your hand To hold.  We will dance in the rain And watch it burst into flame.  Someday the sky will catch on fire. If my world was gonna end,  Would you be there my friend? Remembering how we used to dance in the rain? Telling the man up above All about our love If my world was gonna end. -Emma Lancaster

 Celine Dion makes me think of platonic love.  There is so much to be said for platonic love, for a pure and unhurt and beautiful friendship, for girlhood.  It’s all coming back to me now.  We were lip syncing in the kitchen while making pasta for dinner, because college girls don’t know how to make anything else.  We giggled when someone walked into that communal kitchen and looked at us funny for our dancing.  I live for those small moments, the most golden glowing seconds.  The music brings it all back to me, and I smile when I think of those girls, those younger versions of ourselves that only knew love and affection for life and each other.  Those girls are working together to reach their goals now, to get into law and medical schools. What I’d give for another night of simplicity and platonic love. One night of girlhood and kitchen dancing with my best friend.  -Emma Lancaster

 The sun sinks low over water,  rippling with rays. And the sun shines through trees, green with late summer life. And you, you watch it shift. The world turns, you breathe in, you thank the Lord for the air in your lungs, and you breathe out.  Because when the water ripples with unsettling motion it always finds a way to settle  once more. -Emma Lancaster

 I never thought I would have to think about the loss of a celebrity I loved as a child until I was at least thirty. However, here we are. A boyband member passed from this earth. Similar to many others across the world, this passing, while not personal, brings up personal feelings. We all lost a part of our younger selves with the loss of someone famous.  We are forced remember how fleeting light can be. Enjoy the warmth while you have it. Hug your young ones tight today, and be graceful to your younger self. -Emma Lancaster