So it has been awhile, and I've been contemplating what is most present in my life that I want to share. Something that is authentic and real. Writing for writing sake is fine, but I hope to always share truths that are most sincere to me.

As I divulge into this newest thought, walk along with me for a bit. In the most recent of events, I have found myself this year losing a few more dear souls that once were people I could confide in. Isn't it astonishing that some people can simply begin and end as nothing more than a stranger? In previous years, I would meander around in circles trying to sort out why certain people ended up being nothing more than that distant kind-of memory. I strived to figure out "what went wrong". When in fact, it wasn't until just the other day that it dawned on me, something that I never quite considered.

Let me explain with a metaphor of sorts: I live by the ocean, so take a moment and wherever you are, imagine you are by the coast right now. As you walk on the seaside, you notice the wind of the ocean air, it's a bit cold as it brushes against your bare neck. You smell the salt that induces a soporific effect through your nose. Although the ocean creates its path, it is ever weaving and leads you down a winding lineless direction. You walk for what seems like hours passing by- no even more- long days carrying on there nostalgic ways. As time passes, you meet various individuals on your sand stricken path. One individual walks with you and offers you a shawl for the ever-increasing cold wind. He stays a while and promises to walk with you until the warmth of the summer air starts to kick in. You learn many things as you walk side by side. He helps you gather brush for the fire in the evenings, and teaches you to spot the fish swimming below the shallow waters. A few others join the journey, and they offer there own sense of wisdom and insight to your barren walk. One woman teaches you the art of breathing in water. She says the key is breathing as naturally as possible. One day while you're swimming in the open water, rough waves begin to gear towards you. And just when you think that she's about to protect you from a staggering current, she disappears and leaves you defenseless. Confused and bit hurt, you keep walking. However, she's not the only one to your surprise. A few others disappear before you even can acknowledge gratitude for their company. And the one that said he'd be there until summer, leaves before spring even starts to show its colors.

I was once told by a mentor of mine, that some individuals in our life are only meant to reach a certain level in our path. They simply can't go on. Just like walking along the ocean route, some people you meet, even the sincerest of them, can't take the same walk as you. Perhaps, some of them choose their own separate distinct way, others are just disjointed. Regardless, there are still a few, maybe two or three, that walk parallel to your own route. Maybe they've been walking alongside you for a while now.  And although many will go, I've learned to stay nearer to the ones that have walked the farthest with me, and I share with you so that maybe you can do the same.

Afterall, you must keep walking. That is the greatest task of it all. Regardless if ten people go, or just two people who leave you completely distraught; the only way is to keep walking ahead. For you'll get to where you need to go. And every now and then, stop and run directly to the breathtaking water beside you. Grab the hand of the one that's been there the whole time. You may have not even noticed them as you've been so focused on the others. But they've been there, just smiling and saying, "I always knew you could do it".