Among all the messes

and all the losses,

still, we breathe.

Among all the pain

and ongoing suffering,

still, we walk.

Breathing and walking

is a gift,

eyes tuned to the feet,

one and then the other,

thoughts tuned to the breath,

one and then the other,

the messes and the losses

and the pain and the suffering

are part of the package,

lift the lid and open it fully,

something fresh will appear--

morning mist, afternoon drizzle,

a rainbow at dusk--

this is the gift within a gift,

something new,

a baby born,

a child skipping,

an old woman smiling--

this is the gift.