I had one of the hardest days I have had in awhile. I likely seemed unstable to strangers coming in and out. Familiar faces were kind, offering looks of sympathy and concern. My attempts to maintain a cheerful disposition, faltered from the start by my inability to hide myself. Smiling while tears filled my eyes. A pain that required long, quiet, unrequested hugs throughout the day, from people I love, bringing peace to my soul.

People. People I find myself inevitably drawn to and unwilling to let go of. No matter the circumstances that may physically separate us. These are the people etched into my heart and linked to my spirit. They are MY people. I’ve searched for them throughout the vastness of my experiences, and in the sea of faces I’ve encountered. Never by chance, and always by choice, do we link ourselves to one another. They see the beauty in my chaos and forgive the destruction caused by my storms.

Our relationships help strengthen us, our character and our resolve to overcome the unexpected. Events unfolding chaotically as we move in unison with the people we have chosen to keep ourselves grounded to. The relationships God has led us to, seemingly random, but oh so purposeful. Made more apparent in the sludge of despair or wake of destruction, but also found in the limitless joy, and celebration of life’s accomplishments and gifts.

I mentioned The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery in my post yesterday. It seemed so fitting within this topic as well. When the fox tells the Little Prince he must be tamed before they can be friends…

“I am looking for friends. What does that mean—tame?”

“It is an act too often neglected.” said the fox. “It means to establish ties.”

“‘To establish ties?’”

Ties are often neglected, forgotten, unappreciated. They shouldn’t be, but somehow, we allow them to be. The disconnect seeming mundane. We proceed without reflection or pause, continuing on our path as if nothing has been lost or gained. It’s so strange to imagine, when we are so deeply committed to the confines of feelings and moments.

Most people connect with the intent to stay. Outside of business relationships, humans build relationships with people they imagine will stay in their lives. We imagine the memories we can make, the trials we can overcome and the love we’ll share. So, when we encounter difficult roads, do we commit to those we have seen as important or worthy? Can we justify letting go without trying, or justify how much we tried before we let go?

Something happens when we open up ourselves to connections. We find extensions of our hearts outside our bodies in those we’ve chosen to let into our circle. We desire to watch their stories unfold. We are each others cheering section, prayer warriors and advocates, charging the doors of the throne room for one another.