Broken plates. The sound of shattered shards of fragile china landing on the distressed wooden table facing the mosaic artist. They used to be fine china plates dressed in a beautiful floral pattern in shades of grey and black. Some fall into the depressions created by pieces of glass piercing the once-smooth surface. They emit a muffled sound, some even landing upright, creating another pit in the wood.

I was those pieces. Shattered shards, distressed, depressed, only sometimes standing upright, yet always emitting a muffled cry. That was me.

Little did I know, a young man at the tender age of 19 stood within 20 feet of me at a gathering where I knew not one person. Eventually, it wouldn’t matter. He saw the delicate artist I would eventually become. A vulnerable, fragile, naive, and beautiful, creative soul.

I’ve decided that we are all a mosaic. Some are colored glass, opaque, nubilous, and non-emoting. Some are subtle, soothing, and evoke peacefulness and belonging. Others offer a sense of conflict, lack of commitment to a theme, and a feeling of disunity and unbelonging. All are equipped with safety glasses; you never know what life might bring.

Where are you in your life mosaic? Do you land in a divot on a path made by others before you? Or do you fall face-down on a spot of your own, not wanting to be chosen amongst others? Are your boundaries aligned and consistent, or are they misaligned and inconsistent? Do they wear safety glasses to protect themselves from soul snatchers who prey on the cracked and broken souls of society?

Where do you fit? Are you centered in the middle, fitting predictably within the planned pattern? Perhaps you might be seated along the edge, forming a neat boundary and stationed away from the predicable eye-catching mosaic pattern in the middle.

One other option; are you the grout that holds all the mosaic parts together? Are you gritty and strong, a mixture of stone and water to steady and secure your life's varied yet unique pieces?

To me, the most beautiful aspect of being who we are is that in our lives, we can use all of these qualities to serve ourselves and others. Do you strive to be the best version of yourself while bravely facing crumbled dreams that fall mid-flight? Will you believe in your ability to find yourself a brand new part of a beautiful new story?

Do you know that you have every reason and potential to create and design your mosaic despite life’s obstacles?

Despite the many years of destruction I faced, I would not lie down and surrender. I hammered on. I knew the spark within my soul would light my darkest nights and fuel my journey to becoming the creator of a beautiful, centered, and colorful mosaic.

There is a riveting part of my story. This young man is my husband of 42 years, the father of our five children, and a grandfather of three. What a sweet mosaic we have made.

Now is your chance to assemble your broken parts into a unique and wondrous future. I believe in you.