lessons of beauty.

The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity and an understanding of life that fills them with compassions, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.

-Elisabeth Kubler Ross

The most beautiful people that I have ever met were those who had no hair because of chemo, where swollen and puffy because of steriod treatments, had limps because of bone pain due to Sickle Cell or were hiding a secret pain deep down in their hearts. Their beauty came in the form of radaint joy, wisdom beyond their years and love for others who were in need of a compassionate hug or supportive friend. That is beautiful.

An illness, a tragedy, any suffering for that matter, gives our eyes a new view of the world and especially a new view of people. There is nothing more beautiful than the reaching out and grabbing hold of a hand of someone in need. That unspoken bond that is there, saying, "I know your pain. I am here".

Suffering is suffering. Pain is pain. Loss is loss. Heartbreak is heartbreak. Longing is longing. There is no barometer for those feelings. There is no degree of pain. Pain, suffering, heartbreak, longing, they are simplly what they are. No more; no less. The greatest injustice we can do to ourselves and to others, is try and put those feelings of despair on a scale and compare one to another. It is impossible.

There are beautiful people all around us and in every second of our day. We just have to remember to stop for a moment and look at them.

Today, I am thankful for the beautfiul people in my life; near and far.