Warm Hearts Happy Family

One of the most inspirational books I have read is The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch (co-authored with Jeffery Zaslow).  Randy lived his life with passion and courage and most importantly with dreams.  He realized almost all of his childhood dreams against all the odds most people face. 

One of the things that resonated loudly with me was one of his mantras:  “The brick walls are there for a reason.  They’re not there to keep us out.  The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something”.  These words embedded themselves into my core and refused to be ignored.

I want my children to grow up surrounded by optimism, surrounded by success and passion.  I lost my dreams somewhere between swinging on the playground and figuring out how to make all of the bill payments on time.  But I am claiming them back–my life is mine to determine and I owe it to my childhood-self to do the things she knew I would be best at.  The things that would make me happy.

Kids are funny that way.  They know their talents right away–they know what they want to be right away.  But too often kids face stresses and obstacles that erode the once glossy dream into a distant memory.  I will do everything in my power not to let this happen to my children.  I am hear to nurture and foster every dream they have–who am I to say if their dreams are realistic or weather or not they can achieve them.  They will face that enough in their lives and my hope is my voice will be loud enough, influencing enough, to resonate in their heads when they themselves are feeling self-doubt. 

Kids are sponges and in a lot of cases emulate the life they have at home.  So my gift to them–to prove they can make whatever life they want–is to believe in myself.  To chase after my dreams and to accomplish my definition of success.

***Important note*** I think it is prudent to mention one of the things I have been blessed with is common sense. So you will never see me screaming into a camera at the judges of American Idol if my child is clearly and devastatingly devoid of any artistic talent.  Nurturing does not equal lying to your children but that is just me. 

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Please don’t mind me as I am sure your world will continue to orbit around the sun without reading my “what direction should I take my life in now” post. 

Again.

But bear with me my www friends as I can feel my success whispering sweet promises in my ear, can feel accomplishment waiting in my shadows.  For the first time in my life I believe in myself, if only I could get focused.   Lists are the best way to laser in on the specifics, so a list I will make.

I know one thing for sure.  I want to be a writer.  I am not sure what defines a writer, or how much success is needed before giving ones self such a title; but I will worry about that later.  My first question is in what way do I want to become a writer?  Here are a list of things I want to do:

• Have my own column or blog in a national publication.  Shit, start smaller.  Local publication…baby steps.
• Freelance for publication in popular magazines (Parenting, Women’s Health, etc)
• Write a funny and encouraging  “how to” book on breastfeeding from a typical Americans point of view
• Start a children’s book series that I have tried to start for years
• Look for more blogging opportunities

I want to do all of the above but the key is what do I want to put my energy into first.  I will spend the next day or so staring blankly at this list until my next project jumps off the screen, slaps me in the face, and makes me it’s bitch.

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My Dear Son,

Last night you said:  “Mommy, why is your name Mommy?” 

If you only knew that you gave me everything I ever wanted.  How out of all of my dreams, out of all of the make-believe kids I had created in my imagination, I can not believe God gave me such a beautiful boy.  Beautiful on the outside with a beautiful three year old soul to match. 

I know your little sister is tough competition for my attention.  But just know  you are who made me mom, you are my first born and my son.  Nothing will ever replace that.  Remember these words as I am gushing over her hair and clothes and all the girly things we are sure to do. 

All my life motherhood was my goal, was my calling.  Motherhood was the only thing that I knew–without question–I would be fantastic at.   What I was not expecting was just how much you would fill up my heart, fill up my existance, and fill up my world with such bright happiness that I literally close my eyes and try to breath you in every chance I get. 

My favorite time of day is bed time, when I tuck you in and hold you close.  We talk about our day and talk about your exciting adventures waiting for you when you wake up.  I kiss the back of your head, smell your hair, and we talk until you are safely in your sleeping peace.  I cherish these moments because I know they are fleeting and one day you will no longer crave the tranquility of your mothers embrace. 

So son, thank you .  Thank you for making me a mother and making all of my childhood dreams come true. 

Love,

Mom.

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Original version posted at detnews.com MichMoms blog

I am amazed at the success I am experiencing this year and am more convinced now than ever that you can take control of your life. You can make your life anything that you want it to be. I never dreamed I would be creating the opportunities for myself that I have. Never dreamed I would rediscover my childhood dreams and see them come to life. Never dreamed I would be so satisfied in my career. And most of all, never dreamed my family would fill me up with so much love and happiness that joy spills over into every thing I do.

My family is amazing. My husband…he is so much more than my husband. He is my best friend and my teammate. He enables me to be the mother I am and to follow my dreams. He enables me because of the kind of man he is…the most nurturing and loving father I have ever seen. And he keeps our house in amazing order which gives me time for me. And when we have time for ourselves we can give so much more of the good stuff to the world.

I can’t help but wonder why? Why is everything in my life going as I want it? I have been thinking about this for a few weeks now and the answer is simple. Because I changed my attitude. Because I started believing in myself. Because I took control of my life instead of waiting for my life to just happen.

I am fully aware that we are just shy of April and the year is has really just begun. But the old me would wait for something to implode, would wait for some terrible tragedy to overtake my happy bubble, or would wait for my career to fall flat. The new me realizes your life will be whatever you choose it to be. Your life is up to you to create. Your life can be the things that dreams are made of.

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Today I started writing for Examiner.com! It is my first writing job and I am super pumped about it. I am excited for the creative outlet, and for the chance to tap into my long suppressed writing skills.

http://www.examiner.com/x-3016-Detroit-Motherhood-Examiner

So swing by and check it out

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