The End

I love happy endings. I've been a sucker for them for as long as I have heard stories and fairy tales. The first one I remember is from Cinderella. From then on my love of happy endings grew exponentially. I'm a romantic at heart.

I am also a realist. I understand that "the end" in a movie isn't always "the end".  There is almost always more to the story; another tragedy to endure, a problem to be solved, another character added. Happy endings are often momentary and last until the next event surfaces. That being said, I still love happy endings and believe in them with everything in my soul.  And my fondest wish is that everybody has one. Man is that he might have joy. Joy is a must.

Sometimes the journey to the happy ending is rocky. Perilous footsteps can mark the path to happily ever after. I guess that is what makes a happy ending so sought after. It's why we humans crave them. I've muddled through my own messes to give me some of my happy endings. I have experienced bad relationships that made me appreciate what I have in Chad as my soul-mate. I have endured more than one scary diagnosis to get to a point where I am so grateful and in awe of modern medicine and the miracles of Heaven. The journey to good things takes gumption, courage and strength. Sometimes I can hardly muster enough for my journey-let alone someone else's. Though I wish I could walk everyone through theirs, I know that is impossible and impractical. There are times when I can't even make it through a movie where someone has to endure what seem to be impossible situations. While reading history books is extremely intriguing to me I cannot stomach some of the atrocities that humans put each other through. I have been known to hurl a good book across the room because of the unfairness placed upon mankind. But rest assured I am cheering, praying and hoping for the best possible outcome for everyone. I may not be right there with you, and may even have a hard time handling your story and what you've been through, but I want your happy ending. I want the joy for you. Hang in there. It's waiting for you. (Every last one of you.) Be grateful.

The beginning of my happy ending

Two nerdy kiddos in love

23 years later....