You Can Be Loved
even if you are not perfect
even if you don’t know the answer
even if you are horribly confused
even if you can’t make anyone feel better
even if you don’t know how to make yourself well
even if you made a mistake
even if you don’t know how to be
even if you are ashamed
even if you are hopeless
even if you don’t quite fit in
even if you are scared
even if you are lonely
even if you shouldn’t be having such a hard time right now
even if you don’t think so
even if you haven’t found your place yet
even if you aren’t proud of yourself
even if no one has really seen you before
even if you don’t know what to do
even if you try too hard
even if you’re disappointed
even if you don’t really like yourself right now
even if you are beyond good advice
even if you don’t know how to cry
even if you think this post must be meant for someone other than you.
One warm, sunny afternoon on the Oregon Coast, when everyone was laughing and talking and telling their truest stories, I had a wave of sadness come over me and I knew I needed to go sit on the sand for a little time away from my dear friends. Walking towards that massive sea and endless blue sky, I had never felt more solitary in some ways or more alone in this particular part of my journey. I could feel that familiar rush of despair coming to me when the beauty of the place captured my heart. I sat down right there and let the water speak to me, and that blue sky, and I realized I could never be alone really, as long as I was walking on this earth. That the earth herself was holding me, making sure I had a place to land with every step I take.
I hope today you will look up into the sky and then all the way down to your feet. That is the earth you are standing on. She is holding you. She is sending you all the love she has in her heart. She is there for you. She will not let you go.
for mfsh with so much love and hope
December 23rd, 2008 at 10:12 am
I hope you are right.
December 23rd, 2008 at 10:24 am
Beautiful……..
December 23rd, 2008 at 10:36 am
Oh, thank you. I despaired all of yesterday - we have relatives visiting for Christmas and my son has been very sick with a nasty stomach virus for the last two days. All our festive plans went up in smoke and by last night I was worried sick about my boy and feeling like our holiday was ruined.
And then this morning dawned cold and damp and rainy and my son woke up feeling better (without a fever!) and I know that my feet are planted firmly on this lovely earth and that Christmas will come no matter what and that I can be loved.
Thanks, Jen. Merry Christmas!
December 23rd, 2008 at 10:56 am
Thank you for this reminder this morning.
December 23rd, 2008 at 11:06 am
Lovely and full of love.
One of the things I have been learning is there is room in the good and beautiful for the sad and not so pretty, and the dark shadows are what make the brightness so soul stirring.
We shouldn’t feel bad for not always being in our tip top shape and happy and in control. There is a purpose to being discombobulated and not quite working right and blue. We just have to find it, and have faith that even the sadness is part of the journey that will get us to where we need to go.
December 23rd, 2008 at 11:57 am
Thank you for your lovely post, I needed it today.
Happy Holidays!
Blessings,
Azita
December 23rd, 2008 at 12:23 pm
Jen Lemen = the most amazing of artists, and the most amazing of writers. So lovely of a blog, so helpful to read. Thank you for sharing it and articulating the feeling of being human.
Veronique
December 23rd, 2008 at 2:01 pm
Yes, she is always holding us. We are never alone, yet we walk alone too.
Love ya!
December 23rd, 2008 at 2:44 pm
Oh my god. I was reading this, thinking that it was a message for my daughter who is turning 21 soon, thinking that I would like to write this in her card, and WHAM, I hit the last line “even if you think this post must be meant for someone other than you” and tears sprang up in my eyes. These words are for me too. Thank you.
December 24th, 2008 at 2:41 am
Thank you for this beautiful message. If it’s ok by you, I may have to print out and frame it for my wall. So beautiful.
December 24th, 2008 at 9:26 am
Wow thank you. So sweet.
December 24th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
I so needed this. Thank you.
December 24th, 2008 at 3:06 pm
Amen to your lovely poem and the sharing of your experience. I believe we’re NEVER ‘alone’ … because we’re ALL ONE!
Hugs and blessings,
December 25th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
Such lovely words. Thank you. I think I’ll go hug someone now.
December 27th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
This was a nice read for me this early afternoon.
December 27th, 2008 at 8:20 pm
Just what I needed to know today. Thank you! xx
December 28th, 2008 at 1:17 am
Thank you. As always you seem to just KNOW the right time to say things.
December 29th, 2008 at 6:00 am
Thanks for this post as i really needed to hear it. i start to think i am unlovable and not fit to be on this earth because i am queer and a Christ-follower. Yet, many Christians tell me i am wrong, sinful, going to hell and do not deserve rights. I do know i am lovable by my partner and my friends, but not by numerous people who call themselves Christians. Sometimes i allow the lies to creep in out of old habits. i appreciate being reminded that i am loved. Bless you!
Warm Regards,
Existential Punk
December 29th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
You always are so in tune with how I am feeling and always provide me with Hope…just when I need it most. Thank you for the loving words. I wish you a blessed holiday season and a new year filled with much happiness. xo
December 31st, 2008 at 1:26 pm
This is from my dear-daughter:
this helps me remember no matter what condition your in your family and friends love you
January 5th, 2009 at 3:52 pm
thank you for this perspective - seemingly obvious and simple, but not. it is just what i need right now :)) may your 2009 be full of blessings. joolz xx
January 9th, 2009 at 12:04 am
I’ve been hanging on to this post, not really reading it all the way through. Just a peek here and there…because it was so scary. I’ve read it all the way through just now, and accepted it into my heart, and know it will help me on my journey.
January 14th, 2009 at 5:51 am
[…] It’s OK not to be OK. […]
January 31st, 2009 at 7:35 pm
I just now found this in my bloglines, and I started crying, quite involuntarily. This is exactly the fear I’ve had lately, and your words are exactly what I need. I don’t know if I can believe them yet, but I need them.
Thank you.
February 7th, 2009 at 4:00 am
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.
Today…this morning I took the first steps of a journey to repair my life after I finally admitted to myself and my family that I had a problem with alcoholism.
This morning I broke down, and finally told my mother I drink till I pass out-a lot.
She listened with a open heart, offered me support and advice, and then she directed me here. To read this blog entry at a time I really needed it. Well it was almost magic. Thank you.
March 22nd, 2009 at 6:44 am
Thank you!
How much do we all need to hear this? Over and over again. I am battling with some difficult emotions right now, and this was just what I needed to hear.
Thank you.
March 22nd, 2009 at 6:48 am
[…] Beautiful words from Jen Lemen […]
October 19th, 2009 at 5:08 pm
dear Jen, I still come back to this post regularly - it is saving me right now. thank you.