Gratitude And Grief

My capacity for gratitude

is expanded exponentially

when I face the truth 

of impermanence 

and maintain the awareness 

that each one I love 

will at some point be 

gone from this Earth,

including me.

My acceptance of 

the ephemeral nature of life

expands my capacity 

for love, 

presence, 

connection, 

and appreciation,

and it increases my capacity 

to hold grief when it inevitably 

comes knocking on my door.