Patches

… The most beautiful people I have known are those who have known
defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found
their way our of the depths. Those people have an understanding of
life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving
concern. Beautiful people do not just happen. Pain is a great teacher,
but most of us would rather learn some other way. We think that
happiness comes from a perfect childhood and avoiding mistakes. We
don't like that patched up feeling that comes with each survival. We
would rather be seamless, no patches, no pits. Cherish your hard won
depth and understanding. Some pain is required for the journey. The
gifts you seek are often disguised as problems. Patches bring strength
whether on our knees or in our hearts. They give us "V's" on medals to
denote valor. I say true valor is to bear our pain without letting it
spoil our happiness. I wish this gift for all of you and for myself.