Life is short. Enjoy it while you can. Enjoy the big moments like weddings and skydiving and buying your first house. But don't forget the little moments, which make up most of our lives. Those little moments count. A funny movie. A glass of wine with friends. A nice stroll through the park with your puppy.  The sun coming out after days of clouds and rain. 

You are here. In this body. Just once. Sure, those aren't complete sentences, but I'm trying to get a point across. Soak up your life. Soak up this lifetime. Be thankful for this day you have been given. Others are not so lucky.

We sat at the wooden bench.

The sunshine soaked into me.

I felt the rays warm my entire soul.

It's so joyous.

A monarch fluttered by us elegantly.

The wind whispered secrets of Earth's essence.

- Carmen Varner

An excerpt from "Alien," which I wrote July 29, 2012.

"Alien"

By: Carmen Varner

I'm not sure where I am. 

All I know is that I'm an alien,

a martian, a one-eyed green monster.

Out of place and alone

in this house of white.

To be alone,

to feel alone

is not as simple as being by yourself.

It's entirely real to be alone in a crowd.