Parents Talking

If I could give anything this Christmas Season, it would be a gift of “Remembrance.” Thinking of times gone by, and special milestones that have shaped who we are as a person today. Reflecting on shared wisdom from parents, mine, now gone, or my grandmother’s advice from long ago. Remembering the sacrifices so many others have made for us, all of us. Reminding ourselves that many out there have it much worse, and yet often a much Bigger Heart. It’s ironic in life, when things are tough, and you are feeling low, that you appreciate what you used to have.

In my life at this very moment, my husband is battling Prostate Cancer and finishing up on the last of his radiation treatments. I am reminded of times when we didn’t feel this weight or have to think about “the what if’s” so early in our life. However, I am grateful for this opportunity to remember how important we truly are to one another. I feel hopeful and positive that we will get through this difficult time and so thankful, we are together.

I don’t dwell on “why us,” because I think, “why not us.” We are not any more special than the next person who gets diagnosed with Cancer. In fact maybe we have this challenge in front of us, to show our true faith and endurance. I try to live my life as stepping stones toward a better tomorrow, instead of obstacles that leave us stuck. The artist, Mary Englebricht said it so well, “Bloom Where You Are Planted.” Make the most out of where you are and what you do. Be your Best.

Merry Christmas to Everyone and please take a moment to remember all that is good in Your Life!

Sometimes we get so busy we lose track of ourselves. We coach, we mentor, we solve others problems, we volunteer for the less fortunate, we pass on sage advice, we speculate our family’s future, and we just get side tracked. It can seem overwhelming to sort out what comes first, people, things, stuff or myself?
I can only speak from my own experiences, but NOW I know when I have to pull the reins in and say “Whoa.” It wasn’t always this easy for me to stop the clock of my busy world. Long ago, I was a very busy mom, going in five different directions. Hardly a day would go by when I wasn’t nearly exhausted. So I began my walks… I started to walk up at the middle school track, first one mile then two, and finally I walked 5-6 miles every single day after my work was over.
I found my thoughts again, and my composure. I always felt I had a great supply of patience, after raising my five kids and scores of daycare children. But then you forget yourself. It’s easy to do when you are a parent. When I finally took time for myself, I saw through the trees and into the forest. Not a mangled, jumbled, group of trees and brush, but a clear path to a road I was meant to walk. This brought me calm, and peace, and serenity.
Sometimes you have to walk through the trees and into the forest before you can unravel yourself. Your a better person, your kids benefit from a healthier mom, and life is better all around.