Running with the Stars

 “Dwell on the beauty of life. Watch the stars, and see yourself running with them.” ― Marcus Aurelius

As I sat down to write today's Rx I was not feeling inspired in any particular direction- and then right on cue, the universe sent just what I needed to get the words flowing. My phone chimed with an in-coming text from my daughter. For the first time in her 22 years of life, she is spending a Thanksgiving holiday away. The scene that arrived onto the screen of my phone was beautiful- my beaming girl and her beau with the Pacific Ocean as a backdrop.The way that picture made me feel took me back to the conversation she and I shared when she sheepishly approached me about being away for Thanksgiving. As she confided her plans to be gone for the holiday, she thought I may feel disappointed. She was pleasantly surprised to find that 'her happy' was 'my happy', and today when she sent me that beautiful pic- her warm, happy holiday- instantly became mine. I always hoped to be the kind of mother that could grant my children their wings when it was time for them to fly. I may not always succeed in this goal, but if our first Thanksgiving holiday spent apart is an indication, I may be on the right track with my daughter.If I dwell on the fact that she is far away, I will feel sad. However, if I dwell on the beauty of life, all I will feel is beauty.My daughter is one of the many stars that line my skies.... and when I dwell on the beauty of how her young life is unfolding, even when she is far away- I find myself not in a life without her, but instead watching the stars and running with her.