Fearless

I bought a Taylor Swift album today. I know, you're thinking, Karin, aren't you in your 30's? Yup. I am. But sometimes I just like a catchy tune. When I would hear "Love Story" on the radio, it just begged to be turned up. And Haley liked it... so I thought it would be a great pick for in the car.

I am amazed by this girl. She has a lot of depth. Seriously. She's gorgeous... but she's smart too. Here's an excerpt from the dedication on the jacket...

"To me, Fearless is living in spite of those things that scare you to death. Fearless is falling madly in love again, even though you've been hurt before. Fearless is walking into your freshmen year of high school at fifteen. Fearless is getting back up and fighting for what you want over and over again.... even though every time you've tried before, you've lost. It's fearless to have faith that someday things will change. Fearless is having the courage to say goodbye to someone who only hurts you, even if you can't breathe without them. I think it's fearless to fall for your best friend, even though he's in love with someone else. And when someone apologizes to you enough times for things they'll never stop doing, I think it's fearless to stop believing in them. It's fearless to say "you're not sorry" and walk away. I think loving someone despite what people think is fearless. I think allowing yourself to cry on the bathroom floor is fearless. Letting go is fearless. Then moving on and being alright, that's fearless too. But no matter what love throws at you, you have to believe in it. You have to believe in love stories and prince charmings and happily ever after. That's why I write these songs. Because I think love is fearless."

Wow. She's only 19? Because right now, in my life, that was what I needed to hear. I needed to know that other people hurt too. And that other people struggle through, and make it out the other side. I'm not just talking about the love in a marriage. I'm talking about friends, and parents, and the person you meet on the street. Loving a friend so much that you'll listen to them pour their heart out for an hour, and just listen, and never regret that you didn't get those dishes washed, or that craft time in you were craving. Because you love her. I'm talking about loving that person at the store, as a person enough to let them go first when you have a cart full, and they have 2 items in their hand. But I'm also talking about loving yourself enough to distance yourself from people in your life that do nothing but hurt you. I have had a lot of hurt over the last 31 years. I've also seen a lot of joy. The hard part is remembering the joy, and remembering that the hurt has made me the person I am. And that I am a GOOD person. And all I can do is love those around me. Even when it doesn't always work out the way I planned. I want to be Fearless. I want to face that change and meet it head on. I want to love, and cherish every minute. Want to join me?