As frustrating as it can be at times, we can never really know what's going on in the minds, hearts and lives of other people. There are so many things that can paralyze a person or shrink their world...physical disability, mental disability, fear, family obligation, financial constraints, and, well, just plain simple personal preference. It's not always as simple as just looking at someone's choices and deciding whether they're right or wrong - they would be the wrong choices for you or for me, but they're not necessarily the wrong choices for another person.

I've been on this site for about three years now. I've done far more than my fair share of complaining, and of standing still, unable to change or move out of the fog for long stretches of time. I know it, but I also know that it comes out of a place where the pain and agony of loss has at times been so excruciating that it effectively crippled me and at times completely debilitated me.

When I first arrived here, fear, anxiety, depression and grief were keeping me locked in my own home, desperately lonely, but terrified to even step out my front door to check my mailbox. If you (a collective you) had met me in person back then, you could not have seen any of that - I looked the picture of health, and so you would have probably shaken your heads and perhaps labeled me a variety of sad ways and walked away. But nobody here ever judged me, you all welcomed me in with such warmth and care, and you listened and prayed with me, until eventually your love and patience and wisdom helped me to venture out on my own.

Some people simply take longer - and need more help - to rise above the floodwaters that life (and death) can throw at them...that in itself can be enough of a journey to last a lifetime.

I still struggle, and because of that I know that others do too, and that we can never know all that's contributing to another person's choices. I've learned to acknowledge and appreciate the value and beauty of all journeying, whether it be an exhilarating walk along a rugged coastline, or an exploratory trek through one's own heart.