Color Me Butterfly

Of all the holidays, Thanksgiving is my favorite.  It is a time that reminds me of how grateful and thankful I am for the bitter and sweet harvests of my life. 

Coming from a legacy of four generations of abused women, I am grateful for those experiences, because it is those experiences that have attributed to an indestructible backbone.  A backbone that can only come from the many trials and tribulations that has hovered over my family for more than sixty years.   These experiences, though bitter at times, did not leave the women in my family with a bitter harvest.  In fact, I like to believe that it was those experiences that instead have made our harvest abundantly plentiful.


Many would question why I feel that those experiences are the ones that I’m most grateful for? Well, I can only explain it in one way.  A quote that pretty much sums it up for me: 

Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.

I am grateful because I have learned from my yesterday – all of its transgressions, its fouls, its glories.  I live for today because today I am alive, I am healthy, I am worthy.  And I have hope for my tomorrow.   The thought of tomorrow – all that rests lurking for me – fills me with hope.  An undeniable hope!

It wasn’t until recent years, I have come to understand the true meaning… I mean the true meaning of Gratitude – the meaning of being in touch with my inner soul, my inner self.  Relinquishing the inner power that lights my soul everyday.  It took me years to come to terms with this; and when I did… I had a moment of peace and serenity – a moment where clarification came to me.  And since that Moment, I have harvest aplenty, so much so that it gave me the courage and strength to write Color Me Butterfly amongst many other deeds.  It has opened up the storehouses of my heart to share with others – to reach out – and spread the goodness of all that life has to offer.

Each year at this time, not only do I meditate on Gratitude – on all the things that have become the cornerstone of my being, but this year, I also offer a prayer to all women to seek out your inner power – the unlimited storehouses of your heart.  Get in touch with your soul, touch the core of what enlivens your spirit to survive and thrive.  And as the harvest enlivens you, boldly share your storehouses with other women. 

If each woman were to do this, we would become an unstoppable force – one that we can all be so very grateful for.