To the Young Adult Females in My Life

Mar 21, 2012

There are three of you I love like my own (well, one of you is). Each of you has enriched my life in ways you may never know. I’m blessed to be your mother, your friend, your partner in crime (or atleast, in writing about them).

I’m honored that you love me in return. That you share with me your families, your hopes, your dreams, your sorrows. We have goals. We have memories. We have fun. We work well together.

And there are times, oh so many times, that I pray for you. How I want to be a good example for you but I know sometimes I fail. Sometimes I’m immature and selfish. Sometimes I can’t give as much as I should, and sometimes I want it to be all about me.

But then I hear you’re hurting, and all I can do is cry for you, for your heartaches. And this is where I step up to the plate and offer what I have to give you: experience and (hopefully) wisdom.

In some way, each of you is suffering a broken heart. Maybe not completely; and not in the same way. Your hurts are yours. Your sorrows are individual, personal, and private. In real life, you put on a secure mask and you go through the automated functions of daily living. But something inside feels broken, damaged, or just out of sorts.

That’s okay. It’s okay to feel confused, and sad, and angry. It’s okay to wonder if your dreams will ever be reality.

But please … don’t live there. Don’t live in a fantasy land; holding out for something that might not happen, waiting for the Knight in Shining Armor to come rescue you. It’s okay to rescue yourself. It’s okay to be your own person. It’s okay to be You.

It’s okay to send yourself flowers to brighten your day. It’s okay to be disappointed and it’s okay to change your mind about what you thought you wanted in life. It’s okay to still want what you want, but don’t stop there. Don’t let the shadows throw you over. Don’t let the roadblocks stop you. Don’t dream so high that you lose sight of reality and forget to live.

There are many paths, many directions. And just because one isn’t working out the way you thought/hoped/planned… you can still get there. You can take a detour. You can take another path.

Just don’t stop.

Don’t stop believing that you’re worth everything. Everything. You’re worth attention. You’re worth flowers. You’re worth hugs and conversations and coffee dates and smiles and … everything that makes you, You.

You’re worth knowing. And sharing. And loving. And growing. And being.

And if I could make your life perfect, I would. But I’m not magical. I’m just me. I’ve been where you are. You may not think so. You may think you’re alone. You may think I’m just an Old Maid who hasn’t a clue. But you’re wrong. That’s okay, too.

Because whether you believe me or not, I’ve been there. And I’m still here.

For you.

Because I love you abundantly.

And no matter what,  no matter what, YOU are worth knowing. Just as you are. But I also know you’re still growing. And I really look forward to knowing the person you’re going to be.

I love you with a Mother’s Love. A Friend’s Fierceness. A passionate, loyal, do-anything, protective, Godly love. I love you. Abundantly. No matter what.

And I always will.

And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!

A Work in Progress

Mar 20, 2012

It’s 10:30 p.m. and I just now realized I don’t have a post ready for tomorrow.

Well, what can I say? I’ve been busy today.

I played the Wii.
I ate birthday cake.
I snuggled with my cat.
I spent a lot of back-and-forth with my graphic designer for the new company logo.
I watched some TV.
I ate pizza.
I fed the birds.

And I had a friend do a drive-by hugging.

Dot cleaned the house in such a wonderful fashion. She really did herself in. Because now I know she’s totally capable of this kind of cleaning. *Insert evil-Mom laugh here.*

And I planned my grocery list. For my dehydrator. I’ll start with apples and bananas. And grapes. Then move onto tomatoes and beef jerky. And once spring truly arrives, I’ll play with herbs. I might even try some potatoes.

I’ve crossed a lot off my To-Do List lately; but I’ve also added to it. It seems that’s always the case. Just when I think I’m done, there’s another task. Even when I’m close to finishing a project, I find a reason to not quite get there. It’s a little infuriating.

But this year, so far (and it’s only March!!), I’ve been doing better at finishing what I start. Little by little, I’m learning what it feels like to set more than one goal, and take it one step at a time; and cross that finish line one foot in front of the other.

I’m also learning that there are many different ways to reach goals. And success has many definitions.

I figure as long as I’m breathing, and learning, and living, I’m doing okay.

And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!

Reminders

Mar 19, 2012

Just in case you missed them, here’s a rundown of recent important posts. Just click on each link for more information:

The Unemployment Cookbook Giveaway

Mojo Book Review and a GIVEAWAY: “Carmen of the Golden Coast”

“Give Us This Day…”: How I learned to feel secure with what I have.

Meal Memo in a Jar: A new way to plan meals for a month.

Inspired by Jenn of “…so this is love…”, I’m thinking up different ideas for a link up: A theme that I can make a blog badge for and have other bloggers share and post their themed stories along with. It’s a great way to see what other bloggers are talking about. I especially love Jenn’s “Kid Quotes Friday”. If you haven’t checked them out, you really should. Each Friday she posts the best Kid Quotes of the week; and she’s a Social Worker, so she’s got lots of great material.

I’m just not sure what my link-up theme should be. Recipes are overdone (no pun intended, but there it is anyway). Maybe weekly writing prompts like favorite family memories. Or just a venue for others to share what’s on their minds. What do you think?

Well, I’m off to the Dollar Movies and dry some fruits, in between reading and writing of course! Have a good day, whatever you’re doing!

And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!