How do you spell patience?

I used to think patience meant sitting quietly--like sitting with my hands in my lap in kindergarten while Mrs. "C" distributed the treats.  I used to think patience meant not complaining, being neutral, not really giving any kind of a reaction at all...

Now I think patience means hoping and longing but not being able to make time move any faster.

Patience means wanting something so badly you can taste it but having to wait because you do not have the power to impact time...

Patience means trusting...praying...longing...

And perhaps, just a little, patience involves a certain amount of letting go. 

Of examining the options, the "what ifs"...those scary dark places we are usually afraid to let our minds go...

Sometimes we can feel stuck when we stand there in the dark.
Sometimes, in the dark, time can seem to stretch on forever.

I used to think patience meant not caring that the dark was there...
but now I think patience comprehends the dark completely. 

It understands the dark completely but continues moving forward.
It understands the dark completely but refuses to let go.

It examines the consequences and is willing to face what will happen if the dream must eventually be replaced with another...

Patience rests in that knowledge, in knowing that whatever happens we will still carry on.

The alternatives won't destroy us, but until evidence arises that pushes aside all hope for the contrary, we will continue to hope and carry on.

In that hope, we find our patience.
In our resignation, we know we're strong.
And in patience we will move forward.

Patience means trusting, considering carefully, and even then choosing to hope that good will come.