Bloom.

I remember this book I read years ago. A series, actually.

You were introduced to the villain first, and then later to the protagonist.

Things seemed to go along the path you’d expect for him, except he constantly ran up against all sorts of obstacles.

Everything just kept going sideways.

I remember thinking, “Okay this is it. From here on it will be the resolution, because nothing can be worse than that.”

Do you already see where this is going?

Yea, things kept getting worse.

Now, I adore books, and I typically treat them kindly…but this book…

this damn book…

I threw it clear across the room.

I was so mad.

Tears, rage, disbelief; the whole gamut of emotions. I just couldn’t believe the author would put the characters through so many awful things.

They weren’t getting a break.

I was so distraught, and drained by the entire story that by the time I was done I didn’t even care how it ended. I just wanted it to be over.

That entire experience seems to be a microcosm of the collective consciousness so far this year.

At least it feels that way.

This time though, I do care how it ends.

Very, very much.

That makes it so much more frightening, and so much more frustrating (to say the least).

I keep wondering what part of the book we’re in now.

I hope when it’s over we can gather together with our loved ones, and look back on things as better people.

That’s my hope.

Especially the part about being together.

It’s a small thing really, like a flower blooming in the crack of an old sidewalk.

I struggle not to get pulled into pessimistic doom and gloom, but sometimes a small ray of hope is all we need to keep going.

So, whatever it is you’re feeling and experiencing these days, I’m sending you gentle sunshine, a warm ocean breeze, a bright flower blooming strong where it doesn’t seem to belong…whatever it is that may soothe your soul for even the briefest second.

It’s not much, but I’m sending it to you anyway.

We’ll finish this story together, so that the next one we pick up will hopefully be a much kinder one.

🌸☀️🌊