Pain and joy

And could you keep your heart in wonder at the daily miracles of your life, 

your pain would not seem less wondrous than your joy.

 Kahlil Gibran

This quote by one of my favorites appeared in my inbox this morning.  Divine intervention, perhaps.  But it led me to think about what I've been through and where I am now.

It's quite a miracle that my life has taken the path it has.  I've met a wonderful man who has walked his own path of pain, suffering and heartbreak but now we share joy.

This joy would not be as wondrous as it is if we didn't have to go through the pain.  I had to be in an emotionally abusive relationship.  I had to be lied to and betrayed.  I had to learn to let go of the past and the people who hurt me.  He had to be feel the pain of sudden loss and both of us had to feel the despair of loneliness. It is the ying and the yang which makes up the fabric of our experiences.  Pain must be felt in order to fully appreciate the joy. 

Joy that will never be taken for granted.