Sweetness & Salt

As I come to the keyboard, it is Valentine's Day, 14 February 2019.  Hearts and flowers and roses and chocolate and perfume, candles and memories, cards and sentiments - all seem iconic for this day of celebration of cherishing, belonging, and mutual affection.

These are sweet things, aren't they?  Even in widowhood, I smile at this day - especially now that my Beloved has been absent from the body five Valentine's Days now.  This is an opportunity to be grateful for the grace-gift of our life together and to savor the sweetness each new day offers.  Certainly, the salty tears of the past revisit occasionally, but  now they serve to make the sensation in my heart that much more complex and profound.

Loss and love - both four letter words carrying many meanings and connotations - they once seemed diametrically opposed and mutually exclusive.  Now, though, I realize that loss is not the cessation of love, but its preservation in a way - as salt preserves.

Jotting with Johnna
Whenever we crave chocolate or cookies or cake (not to pick on these, mind you), we would be wise to consider what other form of sweetness we yearn to savor?  Today, I hope you remember someone you have lost and have a fond feeling in the moment.  I hope you know you matter to the world and that we would all be lesser for the loss of you - so thank you for persevering through the salty tears that inevitably come into even the sweetest life.  I hope you find a way to be kind to yourself today, to add sweetness to your life and to those around you.

The world needs both sweetness and salt.  The world needs you.  I'm glad you're here.

You are so very worthy of the thought, time, and tasks that bring sweetness to your life today.

Stay tuned.  Stay well.  Stay focused.

Happy Valentine's Day,
Johnna