Riding the waves

I would rather ride the waves of life 
Than to know those extreme highs and lows
Give me the waves any day
Momma taught me to be thankful 
To always have the attitude: it’s better than nothing! 
Life in the extremes is a hard way to live
But as long as we have ups and downs?
We know we are breathing, alive
Think about the EKG’s that show the ups and downs of our heart beating
Ask your doctor what extreme ups and downs mean to the heart
Even physically it is so much better, easier on the heart and body, to go with the waves 
How many times have I been told in these 5+ years since Rick died that I need to:
- not wallow in the grief
- not be so down 
- stop being so discouraging with my words
- smile more
- cry less
- think positive
- and the comments go on ... and on ... and on
No one, much less a widow or widower, can live at all times on the mountain tops
I remember Rick preaching about this very thing - often
And he would ask what kind of growth is on the mountain tops?
Not a lot. 
Take a good look at a mountain - not a hill, but a mountain
But then, look at the valleys that surround that mountain
The lush & green growth
Some of the best soil in the land is at the base of a mountain, in the valley! 
That’s where we grow - in the valleys
We can go to the mountain tops ever so often, but even experienced climbers will tell you, you don’t want to go to the mountain top often - it’s hard on the body! 
Now, look at the rolling hills in our land
There is growth on the hills and in the lower places
I want to ride the waves, the hills, the lower places, in this life
To be able to grow as I need to
I enjoy the mountain top experiences of life as much as anyone else does
But the waves ... that’s where my heart and life are, that’s where I want to live! 
So to anyone who feels led to say, “don’t be sad” ... that’s in my lower moments - I will be sad! 
I will spend those moments being sad at all that I have lost
I will spend those moments being sad to not have my Sweetheart here with me now
I will spend those moments breathing in the sadness
Knowing that there is a hill ahead of me, a rise to make
And rise I will
I will rise above the sadness, the loneliness, the storms of life
Then, I will dip back into them again
I choose to ride the waves! 
To experience every high, and every low
To gather and glean all the learning and growing that I can in each moment
Do not deprive me of this
If you don’t want to ride your waves, that’s your choice 
- but try to find growth and life on the mountain tops! 
- try to keep your breath, and your heart pumping up there
I don’t judge you 
I just know for me I can’t live on the mountain top
And if you can’t handle me on the waves?
Have a good life without me - 
I will have a good one with me!