I woke up this morning with a dull headache and general malaise.  As I lay in bed, trying to gain the energy to take on the day, my eyes settled, as they often do, on the picture of Judson that graces the adjacent wall of our bedroom.  The heaviness in my heart felt more weighty than usual, more substantial and cumbersome. 

I finally tore myself out of bed to take on my typical Thursday tasks, but feeling particularly solemn and sorrowful.  Periodically throughout the day, my emotions erupted, tears pouring from my eyes.  This is not uncommon and often occurs in the company of loved ones.

This evening as I was making berry smoothies for dinner, I flipped on the switch to the blender and quickly discovered that I had forgotten the lid as the drink splattered all over me, the cupboards, the floor, the refrigerator, and every other nook and cranny in the kitchen.

Initially, I wanted to cry; it felt like just one more thing to push me over the edge.  But instead, I found myself chuckling.  The smoothie spatterings all over my kitchen felt like a metaphor for my emotions.  My feelings that some might consider best kept contained, sometimes escape me, and it’s messy!

Emotions are messy.

As I grabbed a nearby paper-towel and began to wipe the smoothie from my face, arms, shirt, and even my hair, I found myself grateful for my family and close friends who may frequently feel splattered by my emotions but graciously love and receive me in the mess.