The Movie Screen of Memories

Within the confines of the eyelids

the entire cast of life is present

the show that has gone on for these 66 years

that's the show I have the privilege to watch

Privilege might seem a strange word to be used

there were

just as in any other life

the bad times

these were the times I learned the hard way

these were the lessons that had to be remembered

they're the ones that have brought me safely to where I am

You wonder about the good times

those memories are being played on the screen as well

they're the times that gave me a break from learning

everyone needs a break from time to time from the hard lessons

A person will never build the strength without the hard times

to survive in the real world you gotta understand real

and real doesn't come from playing and pretending

Ultimately, it takes all of ones life to make a person who they are

the bad times will always come along with the good

it's the balance of them that makes the difference

The good times

the play

the pretending

can build a body

the outside of a person

and make us physically able

But it is those hard lessons

the bad times as many see them

that builds the inside

the heart and mind

the intestinal fortitude if you wish

that teaches a person how to survive

Children will often play with fire

they are usually told of the danger

an easy lesson has been presented

but the danger never seems to be real

until they are burned by the flame

To learn the hard lessons of life is not often fun

but it is those lessons that protect us from future pain