It’s one of those seasons when my email/voicemail/phone/texts bring me wave after wave of news that pushes past the edge of “everything’s fine.” Some of these waves have bathed my friends with refreshing hope. Others have swamped them in struggle. A few are lapping at toes. Threatening.
A baby is born; unspeakable joy. A loved one dies; breathtaking grief. A longed-for conception. An unimaginable tragedy. An illness. Pain. Divorce. Turmoil. Heartbreak. Fear. Loss.
Tonight my heart holds the both/and of life, and especially the raw pain that is the reality for so many this day.
I was reminded of a song I posted a year or so ago. I found a new homemade video for it (above).
This is my prayer.
by julie rybarczyk














