FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 2000

my friend emailed this to me the other day....
i want to share it with you....
kisses........ me


I stop and look at the door - the door to the closet. 

I have gone by this door everyday, sometimes a dozen times in a single day.  But I hardly ever open it.  I look at the door knowing what is inside.  A jumbled mess of things ready to fall on me the moment the door is opened. 

I hardly know what's in there.  Somethings placed long ago, some from just the other day. I think about what's behind the door, and know it's such a big task.  I'm afraid to open it knowing that everything could fall on me. 

The confusion grows.  Should I deal with it?  Should I just leave it like it is? 

Then suddenly the door bursts open.

I put my foot and hand against it. Holding the contents in.  Trying to keep everything from slamming to the floor.  Through the small opening a few boxes fall out. My free hand reaches out to pick up one of the boxes.  A little box - so small and tiny.  I open it to find a harsh mess inside.  Nope!!!  I quickly close it shut.  I'm not dealing with that.  I throw it back into the closet through the opening.

I grab another box.  I peek inside.  The contents try to jump out at me. I feel the pain as it lashes out.  I drop it and kick it back into the closet. 

I pick up the last box that dropped. I stare at it.  What will be in this one? Afraid to open it but needing to know.  My frustration builds as I can't decide what to do.  No, I already have decided.  I'm just too scared to do it.

I close the door.   And stand with the unopened box.  I will deal with this. I have to.  I've seen it before and didn't deal with it then.  I must now.  So I slowly open it. 

I weep.
I grow angry. 
I'm scared. 

So much self doubt that I can actually handle this.  But I must try.  I throw the lid to the floor.  Then I realize the contents aren't as bad as I thought. I can handle this.  Barely, but barely is enough.  I will get through this mess in the box.  The memories, the pain, the sadness and the hurt.

I sigh heavily. 

This closet will take a long time to clean. But one thing at a time they say.  One thing at a time.  One day my problems, my issues, my mind will be clear.  Then I won't need to use that closet any more.  Maybe then I'll use it to store the good things in life.

More January Kisses