Letters to You: Better Days

Dear J,

Sometimes, especially on days like today, I get the feeling that life is kind of like Minesweeper. We're faced with a grid of blank squares, and we carefully choose a square at a time, hoping we don't click on a mine. 

Specifically, I'm talking about tragedies hitting close to home. Growing up, I've heard of things happening, but always a few degrees separated from me. Post-high school these "things" crept a degree closer, and post-college they tiptoed just that much closer. Just like Minesweeper, these terrible things always seem to catch you by surprise. 

Do you know why I hate cliches? I hate cliches because by definition they are phrases that are overused, yet they are only overused because they are actually true. Thus,  there's usually no way around using them because the words say it like it is. What a Catch 22. 

I didn't know him very well, like you did, but it's still all I can think about right now. It hit me that he and I may not have had that much in common, but we all share one thing: our humanity. So while I don't know his personal circumstances, I know what it's like to be in a dark place...a place I was sure no one else could ever comprehend, devoid of hope and meaning. A place where pain choked out the other emotions like weeds did to plants in a garden. A place that screamed, "It will never be okay." Was any of it rational? Most likely not, but when are we ever rational when it comes to our own lives, our heart, our thoughts, and our emotions? But I was able to get out of that place. He didn't. That's what is so heartbreaking--to see someone lose that battle. 

When something like this happens, I get so upset that everything on reality tv nowadays portrays such a superficial life. Let's be honest: Reality makes reality tv look trivial and shallow. But at the same time, I am more guilty than anyone for watching because at the end of the day, sometimes reality is too overwhelming that I watch fake reality to trick my mind into thinking that life could be so effortless and serious-problem free. 

I pray for true peace and comfort for you and anyone and everyone who had a part in his life.

-SL

 

"And you ask me what I want this year

And I try to make it kind and clear

Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days

Cause I don't need boxes wrapped in strings

And designer love and empty things

Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days

So take these words

And sing out loud

Cause everyone is forgiven now

Cause tonight's the night the world begins again

I need someplace where we could live

And that's only something You can give

And that's faith and peace and trust while we're alive

And the one poor child who saved this world

And there's probably 10 million more who probably could

If we all just stopped and said a prayer for them

I wish everyone was loved tonight

And somehow stop this endless fight

Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days

So take these words

And sing out loud

Cause everyone's forgiven now

Cause tonight's the night the world begins again"

-"Better Days" Goo Goo Dolls

"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." -Philippians 4:7