"That's life... What can I tell you?"

When I was little my world was full of Barbie's and ribbons in my hair. Every day my greatest joys were dependent on if I was allowed to stay up late or have that extra cookie. A bad day would be missing a nap or not getting that cookie. But somewhere between ribbons and training bras we are forced to grow up.

In college I studied nature vs. nurture. Are we who we are because of our surroundings or because of our biology? As a little girl my dreams were to have the Barbie Dream House with the little Corvette. To raise a family with Ken and drive my 2.5 children to soccer practice. Was this dream instilled in me because I was given a Barbie instead of a G.I. Joe? Or was this instilled in me because I am biologically designed to be that way?

Well whatever the reason... Growing up is not Corvette's or Ken dolls. It is paying bills and working. It is disappointment and failures. It is obligations and responsibilities. Life is hard. Somehow, when I was a child, I don't recall having my Barbie pay the bills or take out the trash. We are thrown into the world without preparation for the difficulties that lie ahead.

When the world falls apart around us, when life is just hard we are faced with how to handle it. We have to decide to we fight and stay strong? Or do we crumble and fall apart. It is a matter of one simple truth. Its Life. We aren't really ever prepared for the difficulties that lie ahead. To think that our own difficulties are harder then others is naive. Its simple: We all have face life. Its not always going to be laughter and sunshine.

In the moments of difficulty. The moments when our lives really just suck, those always end up being some of the greatest moments of our lives. I know I am starting to sound like a masochist. No I don't like pain or being hurt. I hate doing things the hard way. But when you think about it. If it didn't hurt: how would we appreciate it when the pain is gone. If it was not difficult: How could we appreciate the easier times.

That's Life. Its beautiful. Its ugly. Its up and its down. But its in the ugliness that we can be thankful for the beauty. It's in the downs that we can enjoy the ups. You see, it was not ever meant to be easy because we would take it for granted.

Its like the impossible dream. When I was a little girl I used to chase rainbows. Isn't that silly? I thought that IF... If I could just get to the other side of that rainbow I would see the most beautiful majesty in the world. Maybe it is impossible to get to the other side of the rainbow. But I believe that the greatest part of that journey is the chase. I may never get there but if I do get to the other side of that rainbow I've been chasing.... I know this: I will not be disappointed. It's worth the effort.

Keep on chasing those rainbows, You may not get there but you may find something more majestic along the way.