Leave the Porch Light On.

Welcoming Cousins At Thanksgiving.

After thousands of words, ideas and memories, I run the risk of repeating myself from time to time. This past weekend, I made a quick and exhausting trip to attend my cousin Brett's Memorial.

Brett had a lot of friends in additional to his large extended family. Most of our family had to leave the open house after an hour or so due to time constraints and long distance traveling.

But a steady stream of people stopped in to hug the family and to share pictures and memories of Brett and what he meant to them.

Having the opportunity to hug and greet my cousins; siblings, aunts, uncles and mother has become more precious than gold to me. I come away from each visit feeling blessed and loved.

Life has a way of getting your attention during the times that a person assumes that their loved ones will be around forever, that your parents will never grow old or sick. And most of all, that people your own age will not die.

Three simple words that make such an impact on a person's heart; "I Love You." Two words that can keep a person going when they have run out of their own strength. "I Care."

And One Word that can divide us all: "You". It implies a finger wagging in your face. An Accusation or Insult.

Add another word like Liberal: Right Wing, Racist, Idiot, Wing-Nut, Repugs, Democraps or Morons and a fight is sure to break out. Injuries will occur and feelings will be hurt.

Sigh! I am as guilty as anyone else at times in getting carried away with the desire of making my opinions known.

So then, there is another two words that mend a friendship, a marriage or a chance encounter." I'm Sorry."

The madness of the world is causing all of us pain. No one hurts more than the other. Our woes can be directed straight back to choices that we have all personally made during our lifetime. Sometimes, we get caught in the crossfire of someone's choice.

No rock that has ever been thrown into the water has left behind a calm surface. Every living thing be affected in some way by the force and impact of the rock touching the surface of the water.

The Porch Light is our beacon to a type of peace that we all seek. Is your porch light in need of a new bulb? Do you have moths and bugs circling around waiting to pounce? Is your light dim or bright?

For our loved ones and friends, The Porch Light signals an expectation of a cherished visit. The visitors who come to our front door are welcomed and invited in.

For those who seek to do us harm, the porch light signals exposure to their intentions and chances are, they will go to the next dark house on the street.

How bright does your porch light shine? Today, mine was in need of repair and a little TLC. I hurt someone's feelings by not choosing my words as carefully as I should have.

No matter what the other person has said or done, I am responsible for my own words and behavior. I cannot gloat or jab just because someone else did it first. I cannot and should not Ever join in the fray to cause chaos or dissension.

When I write my blogs, I am speaking to myself as much as I am trying to speak to others. I know that I may sound a little saccharine, but my journey to being a better person, friend, wife, mother and grandmother is important to me.

It might not be the path that anyone else will choose for themselves and I respect that.

Leaving the Porch Light On is a personal choice. Just as the style of your porch light or type of bulb that you wish to use. Opportunities abound for us all, if we can just get beyond this stretch of darkness surrounding us today.