There’s no doubt that life is like a puzzle, each part having its own unique shape and proper place. And while you need all the pieces to get a complete picture, it starts to take shape long before, giving you and idea of what it might look like.

But you never know, puzzles are tricky.

And in my own puzzle, many pieces are missing, and pieces that I thought belonged were actually the wrong fit…but I have a strong foundation, a good border.

Honestly, I kind of like the mystery of not knowing what it is going to end up looking like. Searching for the right piece, the right fit, is exciting. And many times I’ll probably try to put yet another piece where it doesn’t belong, but, until it’s complete, there’s always another piece.

*A special thanks to my late, lovely Grandma Anne, who was always working on a puzzle, and who taught me the patience of digging through the thousands of pieces until I found the right one.

(NOTE: The picture was shot in Cajón del Maipo, Chile when I took my mother and aunt on our unforgettable mountain journey. I feel this would make for a fairly difficult puzzle.)