I’m starting to re-think my routine – perhaps something a little less sobering [or at least less dramatic] so early.

But then it hit me, just like a huge piece of space junk falling from the sky…

I begin every day with pain – all over my body. My disease sometimes lives up to it’s billing as crippling – but it is managed. Meds slowly kick in and a hot shower affords immediate relief and I’m able to go ahead and move forward with the day. There are good and decent people all over the world who can’t make it that far, at least not on their own. They are without hope just existing to make it through another day. I am so blessed.

I am sad – every day as I reflect on 2 of my own failed marriages. Relationships that are unfulfilled and loneliness are a sure recipe for emotional disaster. There are times when I’m so lonely that it hurts physically, not to mention the isolation from care and touch and yes, love. Then I read of those who have given-up on love and romance. Their marriages and relationships are in shambles and they fight and argue constantly. No peace. In place of true love they have substituted work and careers, hobbies, and even one-night stands. I reason that I truly believe there is someone, maybe just one, but someone out there in this big world that would love me and I could love them back with total commitment and devotion. I have not given-up, I have not conceded to the blindness of cynicism and bitterness. I am so blessed.

On and on it goes. Issue to issue, struggle to struggle. Everyone has problems that they face. Many are defeated and yet, there are many who push through those heartaches and pains and overcome. I am inspired as I read of the prayers of the faithful, the encouragement from family and friends, and the “stuff” that some are able to gather inside of themselves to rise above whatever adversity it is they face.

Yes, I am truly blessed. It is through those trials, through the pain, through the loneliness and the suffering that we as human beings can begin to understand the kind and loving heart of our heavenly Father who cares so much for us. It is through His refining fires that we grow and become the people He wants us to be.

Yes, we are all so blessed.

“A dream that will need
All the love you can give,
Every day of your life
For as long as you live.

Climb ev’ry mountain
Ford every stream,
Follow every rainbow
Til you find your dream.”

From “Climb Every Mountain”
The Sound of Music
by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II

For years [dating back to when my children were small] I’ve been a big fan of the Disney movie, Little Mermaid. I’d even go so far as to say it’s in my Disney top 3 favorites, which is saying a lot. One of the main songs that is performed by Ariel [the lead, "little mermaid"] is titled Part of Your World, a beautiful, longing melody written by Alan Menken [words by Howard Ashman]. The song has been covered many times over the past several years by famous and not-so-famous vocalists and instrumentalists.

I’ve always wanted to do this piece, I just like it I guess. At the same time, I’ve never really wanted to record it or add it to any albums in the works or planned. So, I grabbed some chords and the melody line and recorded my cover version of Disney’s Part of Your World, if for no other reason, because I wanted to. It’s a simple piece with dramatic passages that give the overall performance a little depth. Please enjoy . . .

Reblogged from Rodney Keith Richardson – Inspiring the creative in everyone:

In my heart there is a spark today. It is very small and not very bright, but I can feel it starting to grow and warm me from within. Just a silhouette, a burning glimmer of the beginning of a passion that will soon overflow with the force of Old Faithful erupting into my soul and my whole being. Just a spark – an insignificant spark. Images in my mind – melodies in my ears – yet as I sit in silence I’m bombarded with symphonies of emotion aching to be expressed. Who will hear me? What will I create? Where …