Over the years I have learned that my faith will see me through especially at those times when I haven't a clue what to do or how to make it through the day. I have counted on the rainbows to follow. Saying thank you is part of my daily prayers. I begin everyday that way and end each day in gratitude. I find myself saying a thank you prayer when I pass an accident and realize if I hadn't been caught by the previous red lights that might have been me. Or when the nurse gets a vein in on stick. When I hear from family I am always grateful because I know lives are busy these days. I am taking the time to notice, to pay attention to the rainbows that are in my life.

"I most want to thank Maya Angelou for helping me to be brave. In my most fearful moments, she has been the one I relied on most, and called first.


Years ago I phoned her complaining about what I've now long forgotten. She shared these words, "Courage is the most important of all th...e virtues, without it, you can practice no other." It takes courage to be kind when others are not. It takes courage to be truthful when a lie might suffice. It takes courage to keep moving forward, when you'd rather quit. I've learned that courage, or opting for bravery, is feeling the fear and still doing what is necessary to overcome it. And in the very act of bravery you don't feel brave but just feel what is true and most real.

Ironically one of my most desolate moments, barely being able to speak in between sobs of despair, I called Maya looking for comfort and sympathy. Instead she sternly chided me, "STOP IT" she said. "Stop your crying right now and say THANK YOU!"

"Why would I say thank you for this?" I said. "Say thank you because you know God, and you know He put a rainbow in every cloud. The rainbow is coming. Say thank you even though you can't see it. It's already there."

So in the worst of times, I still remind myself of that great lesson and say "Thank you"…and then prepare to see the rainbow."