Read a book written in part by my high school buddy, Dana!

     The Mini Marriage is an amazing journey of young marriage and divorce.  A while ago my friend did a status update and mentioned this book...I did a double take as I realized she was one of the authors as well.  I ordered it from Amazon and was very excited when it came...it's not every day you get to read a book written by someone you know.  I had no idea of the timing of it all.  See, I held out on reading the book because not only was it to be one of my "new things" but I also wanted the proper time to dedicate to it.  After a day spent kicking my to do list's ass...I knew tonight was the night.  But as I said a few lines ago...I had no idea of the timing of it all.
     JUST this morning I wrote a blog post about feeling like a train off of its track.  I was feeling lost.  Nothing seems to be sure right now.  Much to my relief this seems to be a common feeling amongst people going through a separation.  The themes were all there for me in black and white.  The stages of grief....ahhhh, so THAT'S what all of that was!  Now it makes sense.  Dana did an extraordinary job in defining the experience.  She made sense of it all.
     We have more in common with the process than I thought.  My puppy and her pooches were a wonderful source of unconditional love.  She went with a journal and I go with a blog but they both serve the same purpose.  I too reflect on the past entries when needed just as she looks back at how far she's come.  We both have tackled the doom and gloom of it all and replaced those negative feelings with positive ones full of hope.  We found ourselves again (well it's been years for her and I'm still new at this but I'm looking each and every day!).  Dana mentions balance and the need for it after feeling so off balance for so long.  I can't express how this has been a major driving force for me and was being questioned again just this morning.  Balance...ahhhhh, I hope to attain it eventually.  We both lost our mothers to cancer and had that moment when the world goes quiet and in slow motion as you are being told.  Really....the connections just go on and on.  Oh and the book mentions how you should force yourself to do new things that bring you joy.   Hmmmm, guess I am doing my homework for that prescription. 
     Back in 1987 two young girls were seated a few feet away from one another because their last names started with the same letter.  They were friends for four years.  They wore their little Catholic school uniforms and played the role of perfect students.  We were probably both good daughters who went on to be good friends, employees and wives.  And we both hated that we failed at something.  I know our type.  I love that she came to accept the role in all of the mess as well as had the ability to forgive HERSELF.  When it comes down to it there is something very powerful at coming out of it all in an even better place than before you began.  This book was inspiring.  It validated so many of the feelings I have felt very alone with.  It is a tool for hope and encouragement.  I am so happy for her now and the beautiful life she has created.  She mentions the quote, "Out of difficulties - grow miracles".  Funny, because there is a line in a song that I seem to be hooked on lately..."'Cause you can grow flowers from where dirt used to be".  In fact, this lyric comes from the very song that I used on my other blog about this very theme.   
     I ask the universe on a daily basis to give me my message for the day.  Today I was feeling a little extra lost.  Then I heard the whisper that said it is time to read your new book.  Dana, thank you.  Thank you for having the bravery to write about it.  Thank you for the lovely little message that you sent to me.  Thank you for being an inspiration.  I am so happy for you and the beautiful new life you have created...and I am oh so glad that your last name started with the same letter as mine!