She is secretly proud of the grey strands that have begun to appear at her crown. Though occasionally she dyes them on a whim, she knows they remain sharp threads of silver beneath the surface. Time and history lie in each strand, as with the faint lines that are beginning to etch themselves into her skin, confessing years of laughter and times of sorrow to the world.

They reminded her that she has lived. She lays claim to them, like the rings of the tree that explain its history.

"I have lived and been broken and made whole, again and again. I am stronger than I am weak. There is so much left to do."

For Cath...

I have currently been on a reading frenzy, but after a series of very serious books back to back, I have been reading a lighter one called "Five Things I Can't Live Without".

Although the book is goofy, the title has me thinking about my five things. The problem is that they would change constantly... but for tonight, here is my list:

1) Hot tea
2) Books
3) The warm sun on my shoulders
4) Flip flops
5) The opportunity to travel

What are your 5 things?