Dear Adversity,
You have been so good to me these past few months. You have such a generous nature, imparting to all of your substance and love, and by so doing, teaching all to be a little more humble, a little more selfless, a little more compassionate, a little more understanding, and a lot more loving. Who couldn't love such a benevolent teacher and boundless giver? Sure, you brought tears a time or two, but so do sappy romance novels, and those always turn out okay in the end.
My dear Adversity, we have spent so many a night together that sometimes as I curl up in bed I feel an emptiness, particularly an absence of the gentle pressure in my chest when you snuggle up against me, that constant confirmation you are there.
Unfaithful as you are, for I know you like to come and go and often need your space, there are times that I will miss you when you leave. There are times you come unwelcome, in fact, this is most often how you come. But because you know I need you, you stay despite my selfish love and gross ingratitude. You stay because you have my best in mind and in this you are both faithful and deserving. Because of this, in hindsight, I shall miss your sweet embrace. But you, knowing this and knowing me, never fail to leave with me a token of our time together, one that I may keep and hold until we meet again.
I used to hold your tokens, keep them close, but then I realized I could purchase with them so many precious things - things I never could otherwise have owned. I took these tokens to your elder brother who for these tokens only would sell to me his many priceless wares.
It might have been much easier had you told me where to take my heavy tokens, but you must have known that I like puzzles and so left me on my own to find his store, at least, I must assume that's what you left these tokens for - for me to buy the things that make me happy, to fill the empty space while you are gone.
I purchased understanding and a little extra love. I purchased some forgiveness, some acts of service to bestow, a little introspection to help me myself to better know. I purchased some more confidence to lend a helping hand, some more patience, some humility - I first must kneel to stand. I purchased ears to listen. I purchased eyes to see. And in the end found gratitude for the time you'd spent with me.
Candidly,
Cookie
