Hallway Demons

As children, we endure most things that come our way. I see in my own children a resilience that I wish I could still tap in to from time to time. It is my experience after 43 years of life, that most people edure change, loss of a grandparent, the ridicule of a bully, the betrayal of a best friend, or the tragedy of the death of a family pet. Even more in the past 20 years, have deep issues with too much change or the loss of attachment to people due to divorce, marital affairs of their parents, or even death due to passionate anger. Not a single person still attached to the human race by DNA can get thru one or all of these curve balls on our own. Stories of that special friend, grandmother who would not give up, teacher who spent countless hours on a troubled kid, or a special friend who just held the hand of a tornado til the winds died down. Sometimes, in part or in full, a child slips through the hugs, hand holds, and comfort of another person that walks with those little feet through the fire seemingly alone. Those burn marks and scars stay on a person forever. I often have said, in testimony to others of where I have been, that in a mirror I see a burn victim. An intrigue and repulse at the same time fills my heart for who I was, where I have traveled from, and who I have become. When things or people happen to someone that early in life, good and bad, there is a place to go that feels better even for a short while. This introduces alcohol, drugs, addictions, the abuse of people (who have not their own faces) and violence.               Anger.                           I know there are those who do care, but some see these grown children and scoff at them with such harshness.That is not to say, there are only child-like qualities by any means! To remain childish in play and have an accepting heart to new is a much needed quality in most adults.  It pains my heart to no end when I hear or see the hidding of ones own skeletons only to crush another for theirs. We all walk, talk, make love, have friends, work, smile, cry and get angry,  Some walk dark hallways in a constant state of anxiety anticipating  the unexpected jolt of an ever present demon Others as part of solitary survival, choose to sit and have dinner with the enemy not knowing just how to get up from the table safely. Every failed attempt brings more failure to a life that is in need of hope and security. As created beings, holding the ability to share a smile, hold a hand, and let a hug linger, could we not all decide to sit down at the table and devise a plan to help those who can't stand, get up and walk slowly away from that horrid dinner? I can often be quoted in saying that "People are the best and worst thing on this crazy rotating rock" I chose to let someone help me walk a long while ago. I chose to gather strength from those God puts in my way long enough to get my attention even now. Without Light, there will always be a dark hallway. Without those who share that light and love, dinner alone will forever cripple great people! After all,  we are only grown up little feet.