Rainbow Rotini Salad

1 package colored rotini pasta, cooked and rinsed in cold water

2 tomatoes, chopped

1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 onion, chopped
1 large cucumber, chopped
1 cup broccoli florets
1 cup fresh sliced mushrooms
1 bottle italian style dressing (homemade is preferable)
OPTIONAL:  mozzerella cheese, pepperoni, hot pepper flakes

Combine all of the above, cover and chill.  Toss before serving.  Perfect for summer cookouts when the hosts ask you to "bring a dish". 

Have you ever felt like there must be a reason WHY certain events happen in your life?  I have had several instances where I look back on an experience, wondering at the time, "Why is this happening to me?" later to find out, "Oh, now I see why!"  There is a greater power in control of the moments, the happenings, the results.  Sometimes we do not see the reasoning, and we may never see it, but occasionally we do see the connections and can be comforted by WHO is in control. 

And because I love this life
I know I shall love death as well.
The child cries out when
From the right breast the mother
Takes it away, in the very next moment
To find in the left one
Its consolation.
                                 - Rabin dranath Tagore
                                     from Gitanjali

Happy Father's Day!