A New Man in the Van

Back in Wilma’s cove, I am a new man.  Wilma is the name of my van.

Before leaving the van to live in an apartment, I was alive.

When people asked me how I was - I’d respond “I’m alive.”

“I’m alive,” resonated with almost everyone.  How my response resonated varied depending on the individual receiving my response.  Some people said, “Yeah, me too.”  Others asked, “Is that all - just alive?”

“Just alive?  To be alive is a miracle, is there more to being alive?  Of course there is, but nothing would be possible without being alive first.  Life is not a given or guarantee, life is existence.”

Upon moving into the apartment I miraculously became thankful.  I was alive and thankful.

People asked me how I was - I’d respond, “I’m alive and thankful.”

“I’m alive and thankful,” resonated with almost everyone in a different way than, “I’m alive.”  Some people said, “Yeah, I should remember to be more thankful.”  Others asked, “For what?”

“For being alive and so much more.”

While living in the apartment a breakdown occurred in my personal life.  My hurt was returned to me.  I needed to heal.  In the peace following the breakdown and working on healing, I became open to the practice of forgiveness.  I committed myself to give without my hurt - forgive my hurt.  I am alive, thankful and forgiving.

People ask me how I am - I respond, “I’m alive, thankful and forgiving.”  I have not been able to measure much of a response yet from people.  The statement for how I am is still rather new.  So far, people seem taken back by the weight of my response for how I am.  I say how I am in a soft and gentle way however, those three words have very strong meanings for people.

Now back in the van for reasons of a [     ] landlord.  I will not let the actions of the landlord take away my thankfulness or forgiveness - even though his actions created the circumstance to choose Wilma’s cove again.  I am alive, thankful and forgiving.