Mapping a Curved Road

Do you ever just sit back and think ‘Why has ____ been brought into my life?’

Were they there simply to teach you a lesson about life? Even though there is nothing simple about them or the relationship with them (or even lack thereof). Trust is an issue due to the many toxic people that have made a pit stop and taken a brief part in the play that is my life from time to time.

After re-watching Tyler Perry’s Madea goes to Jail play something said really spoke volumes to me. Anyone that has seen the play may relate. The part that struck me was when Madea spoke about the people in our lives being like parts of a tree.

 There are; leaves, branches, and the roots. It really made me think about the people that surround me.

• The ‘Leaves’ are around but they jump and move all over the place in your life, they provide a little shade but are not very stable.
• The ‘Branches’ are a bit more apparent but as soon as you try to lean on them, they snap and break.
• Then there are the ‘Roots’ that are the foundation, and are there for you. They may not always be so apparent in your day to day life but if you need them they are there, no question.

The unfortunate thing is that I have a lot of ‘leaves’ & ‘branches’ in my life.

There was also conversation of the people that were meant to be in your life for a ‘Season’ vs. those meant to be there for a ‘Lifetime’. Understanding that the ‘Leaves & Branches’ are just seasonal and not around for a lifetime is refreshing yet disappoints me. There are so many people that come and go in our lives and ARE only there to teach us a lesson. This is so true. So many people come to mind that I tried to put or (at the time) felt that were a part of the ‘Lifetime’ category but they just did not belong there. The struggle is determining who belongs where. At this point Is trust an issue? Or do I give credit when it is in no way due? I do tend to hold people in higher regard than they actually deserve.

I’m frustrated and angry when I think of the people either in my life now or the ones that have already come and gone that were supposed to be my ‘Family’ or close friends, later turning out to only have been a waste of time. I guess I should be grateful that they have at the very least served their purpose in teaching me a lesson. Because in the end, that is all they did for me. It just really makes things worse when its someone close to you. They remind me that you cannot trust everyone and that people do not always have your best interest at heart. 

~VentiMocha

@VentiMochaCap

Today was a vey bittersweet one. Days devoted to paying respect to a great woman and honor her legacy as well as reconnect with many loved ones that I have not seen in a very long time. For many this reunion was possibly long overdue and some were already in the making but cherished just the same. Its difficult when you see those you love under circumstances surrounding events such as the passing of a loved one.

The legacy left behind is a long one, with many branches on this tree. The youngest ones will have a colorful assortment of stories and lessons to learn about their Grandmother as they grow into adulthood. Happily, I have my own stories to tell about Mrs. Jefferson. I’m happy to have memories all  my own that will make me smile just thinking about them.  Her children have plenty to recall upon whenever they want to relive the moments shared with the woman that birthed and raised them.

The love I have for each of them is individually tailored to fit the dynamic we share. I’ve developed many lifelong relationships, and am eternally grateful for each and every one….

Thank you for the time you shared with me as well as the gifts you left for me ♥