Today I left the makeup that belongs to her, because in fewer days than I can reach past there will be no making up for everyday missed messes. She is the baby girl, the youngest sister, number 5 of 6, but more than all of those roles she is value added, hope whispering, strength stretching, unseen battles, and dignity walking.

Sometimes it isn’t very spring-like in my thoughts, so on the way into counseling, I found myself saying, “find beauty. it is here.” I needed tangible proof of beauty as the scripture “beauty for ashes” felt impossible for me…even with all the beautiful sunshine some of my life today was distinctly ashy.

I nearly ran into a branch walking with my pain. I looked up to beauty. Truth: I still felt crappy, counseling was hard, the impending storm was present in my head and sky. Also true: God gave me tangible beauty while sweeping up ashes.