The Grass Is Greener Where You Stand!

They say, whoever "they" are, The grass is always greener on the other side.  I think differently, I say, "The grass is greener right where you stand!"  Thats how I've seen it for a lot of years.  For example; when I was 8 years old, my oldest sister, who was 15 at the time, came up missing.  She didn't come home after she'd left a friends house.  My parents were divorced, all 4 of us lived with our Mom in Utah, our Dad lived in California.  Niether parent knew where she was.   She was at a friends house and was supposed to be home at 5:00.  She had told our Aunt she would tend our cousins, so our Aunt could go to a church function.  It was not like her to be irresponsible.  My mom and Aunt scoured the neighborhood in hopes they would find her...but, nothing.  It was a horrible time in my family's life. Days flew by, then weeks and months then finally, years.

  After 2.5 years of struggles, heart wrenching cries, anger and at times, laughter, hope and even miracles, we got the news.  Someone came across her remains.  This was a whole new series of emotions that came to surface  wildly chaotic!  Our family was devastated! Sadly, too many of you know what we were going through.  My dear, sweet mother never saw her daughter again. Each one of us, in my family,  had to make peace with this horrific event in whatever way we could.  We were forced to move ahead in life.  The world didn't stop, even when we had her funeral, people went about their daily activities as if nothing had happened at all. We had a hole in our hearts, and in our home.

     Now, you want to know why this is an example of green grass?  It's not all that we didn't get, it's for the little tender mercies we did get.  We got closure, the peace of knowing she was with Jesus. We got to give her a resting place.  So many, many siblings and parents don't get those things.  They are still waiting, still wondering, suffering in unspeakable torment because they dont know where their loved one is.  If thats you, know that you're not alone. Know that although our stories are different, together our hearts break, we feel the pain, emptiness and helplessness similarly.  I'm so sorry for your story, I wish you the best and may God bless you.  

     Another example of the grass being greener under my feet, is the day my neurologist gave me the news. My mom and I walked out of the neurologists office, the crisp Autumn air hitting us swiftly in our face. She quickly broke the silence, "Oh, aren't you glad you finally know?  At least now you can be treated and have some good days ahead?"  I was lost in my thoughts, Glad? Glad isn't the word I was thinking. It's MS, it's a chronic illness, I have two little girls.  Upset, worried even a little pissed off maybe, glad....no!"  Then I had nothing but time to think about what my Mom pointed out.  I had been 3 years going to Dr after Dr getting test after test.  Always hearing, "You have symptoms of this and that, but we don't know why?"  Now, I do have an answer, and she's probably right, I'll probably have some good days ahead. "Yes, I'm glad." I said, even if I was a little unsure of myself.

      God knows each one of us and knows what each one of us can handle.  Knows our needs, wants and desires.   Though my problems may be many and some may be very difficult. With my Faith and trust in God,  I can handle them better than I could handle your problems. 

      Now, I may not have convinced you the grass is greener right where you stand.  I hopefully have made you think about your life for a minute,  have a different perspective, even if it's on one issue!  Maybe, just maybe you'll see your grass a little more green!