Today has been a cold and rainy day, but it is a day off from work and I took a wonderful long nap without guilt. I decided it was a day to take care of my mental health. I walked my dog this evening and enjoyed the crisp air, the rain puddles, and the quiet in my neighborhood. I am so thankful to have a sense of comfort deep within my soul that I can reach into when events in my life are stressful. I don’t really know where it comes from, but I suspect it is the people that love me in this life, the medication cocktail that I take faithfully, the friends who support me, and the music and other creative endeavors that I surround myself with.

I wanted to share a few songs by one of my favorite musicians, his name is Josh Ritter. The lyrics of “Kathleen” remind me of nights of my youth and the excitement and beauty they could hold. The other song is like walking from darkness to light, both literally and metaphorically as the weather changes.

I am thinking tonight of Ashley Peterson, and how fragile our sense of peace can be. How quickly our emotions can change, and how darkness can roll in like a thundering storm. I am thankful that the weather of my emotions have been calm. Thank you to the Josh Ritter’s of the world that provide a source of expression in both the tumultuous and calm times of our lives.