A Risk on Forever

by N.S. Perkins

Being able to read people without needing them to tell you what’s wrong is the greatest of gifts.

Show your emotions. Cry when you’re sad, laugh when you’re happy, scream when you’re mad, and kiss when you’re in love. You have every right to feel whatever it is you’re feeling, and expressing it can only help to show who you are as a person.

People often talk about parenthood as if it only comes with sacrifices and troubles. And I won’t lie, it does come with all of that. But, much, much more importantly, it comes with immeasurable joy, every day for the rest of your life. There’s no better gift.

“You and Matt, when are you getting married?” I choked on my own saliva, coughing and laughing inside my elbow at the same time. “Never? We’re not even together! Why would you ask that?” He yawned and closed his eyes before turning his back to me. I thought this was it, but as I got up again, he floored me with his answer. “Because he looks at you the way Daddy used to look at Mommy.”

You’ll never get what you want if you don’t work for it. Nothing in this world comes for free, and the best thing you can do for yourself is work your butt off for what you believe in. Fight, tooth and nail, for the people you love.

Don’t repeat my mistakes. I ask you—beg you—to tell the people you love that you do. Don’t keep this to yourself. I know it can be scary, to live in the risk, but I can assure you that it can’t be worse than not knowing what might have happened if you’d had the courage to act on your feelings.

never let the world ruin your heart of gold. No matter how much pain you go through, no matter what is thrown your way, no matter how people treat you, just don’t lose it. You might want to give it up for some bad people, but they’re not worth it. With love and empathy, you can never lose.

Don’t wait until you’re old or sick or dying to appreciate things. Live life to the fullest. Always. Starting now. Look at everything around you, be thankful for it, and enjoy the most of it. Time goes by so fast, blink and you’ll miss it. So never wait for anything. Your moment is now.

I realized then that she reminded me of the ocean. So much deeper than anyone could imagine. Scary, yet soothing. Tempestuous at times, serene at others. And always the most beautiful thing I could ever lay my eyes on.

“Falling in love with you wasn’t gradual. It hit me like a tidal wave.”