I wither here like a piece of glass that the ocean waves have processed over and over again. Each pass, digging and embedding a new depth into my outer layer that I hadn’t realized was so porous. My edges are now smooth; my surface, frosted and no longer see-through. I’m pitted and rounded, and no longer do I present the hazard of making someone else bleed…unless, they break me in half.

I was just recently in Las Vegas visiting with my very first girlfriend, who is now, one of my closest friends. Being around her brings back those “fresh memories”. By fresh, I mean, I was fresh. I had no pre-conceived notions, no expectations and I had never been hurt (by a lover that is). My heart had a clean slate. What a lovely thing, at that time.

In this time, I’m not so fresh. I’m aged beef. I’ve been around a few blocks, a few cities and cross country. I’ve been hurt, I’ve been tangled, I’ve learned and I’ll remember. I’ll remember that I’m stronger now because of those blocks I’ve ran around. The thing about aged beef is that, it sometimes tastes a lot better.

After careful consideration, I have come to the conclusion that I am ready for the best. I am ready to show the best of me, again. I am ready to break in half and shine. I’m also ready to caress the best of her….whoever “she” is.

To love, to lose, to process and to learn, it’s all in this game called, life. Without a lesson learned, or without a feeling of being burned….we can’t grow. We won’t know what’s good until we’ve seen the worst and we won’t know the truth until we’ve heard lies.