Surviving the Edge: A (Not-so-funny) Hilarious Tale of Escaping Life’s Cliffhangers and Offering a Hand to Fellow Misadventurers:

Once upon a time, in the chaotic carnival of my life, I found myself lost, like socks in a dryer, unsure of which direction to stumble in. I was so broke that even my piggy bank filed for bankruptcy, and my house was about as stable as a Jenga tower during an earthquake. To add spice to my misadventures, I had a couple of kids relying on me to be the responsible adult – a role I played about as convincingly as a cat in a Shakespearean play.

There was no safety net in sight, just an ominous cliff with a sign that read, “Welcome to the Edge of Sanity. Abandon all hope, ye who enter here.” It wasn’t exactly the motivational poster I needed at the time.

I had zero experience in rock climbing, cliff hanging, or any other extreme sport that didn’t involve pushing my luck with expired dairy products. But fear not, for in my pocket, I carried the secret weapons of fierce determination and an unwavering faith in God.

Miraculously, just when I was about to start my career as a human bungee jumper, someone swooped in like a superhero with a cape made of good intentions and pulled me back from the brink. I didn’t ask for their credentials, but I assumed they had at least watched a few episodes of “Cliffhanger Rescue 101” on TV.

A New Perspective on Cliff Hanging: Choosing to Make a Difference

The cliff incident shook me to my core, and I vowed never to return. Little did I know that fate had other plans for me. It led me back to the cliff’s edge with a sudden jolt. From there, I could see others who were hanging on the branches of despair like overripe fruit. I had failed to notice them before because I was too preoccupied with my own problems.

It dawned on me that no one person could solve all of the world’s problems, let alone those of a small community. I realized, however, that I could make a difference in one person’s life by providing them with a few tools, such as snacks and a good sense of humor. This would, in turn, inspire them to help others, creating a chain reaction of kindness.

In all seriousness, I want you to know I have been on the brink of financial disaster, having nothing to hang onto but my pillow and a prayer. I see you. I am glad that God inspired someone to come and throw me a rope. I am honored that He called me to share the same hand of hope to you. I do not profess to have all the answers to your problems, but I do have an understanding of how you feel, and have learned a few things along the way. I would like to share what I have learned with you.

-Marsha Mars