It’s Mama
I is for iter itineris (journey), Inspired, and Intentional
In ten days I will turn fifty-nine….unbelievable, especially since in my heart I remain a sweet eighteen on most days and occasionally an inspired 30 on others. But, never do I feel fifty-nine.
I wish I had known all of my days how important is the journey of life we travel
….the value of the gift of each day
the tremendous importance of how we spend our
“iter itineris” which is Latin for journey of life
There is so much I would have done differently and yet; it is not right that a person spend all their time looking back on what cannot be changed lest we miss out on the lesson…
That life is meant to be lived in the moment
One day at a time
One relationship
One talk into the early morning light
One prayer before bed
One head on solid shoulder
Time spent writing for a daughter who loves your blogs
Petting the head of your dog
Writing out a birthday message for your brother
Children, we have but one life.
One iter itineris – journey to make on this earth
And part of that journey is realizing that we are each here for a purpose, placed in this time by God to serve out a mission divinely given to us by Him
Know this….our purpose is to live to give God all the glory
If you seek to live a life worthy of that, you will be fulfilled, fill fulfilled
And will have the very best
Iter itineris that you could ever hope for
And it will be
Wonderful…..
I is for Inspired
When I think of inspiration, I think of that moment a mother enters the final moments of labor knowing it is just God, her and her body working together to bring forth new life. I remember giving birth to all three of you children and the burst of energy that comes at that moment you know you are about to bring into being the whole of humanity…it is sacred ground and a moment for which there are few words – having been taking over by the rush of love and goodness and gratitude that life brings
For each of you children, I have blessed to partake in moments of great inspiration. Whether it was Madison serving full sets of kills on the volleyball court, working long hour evening shifts while carrying a full college load, or moving out of an unhealthy relationship into committed single living to be aligned with your faith values.
From watching Kenton raise his right hand and head off to BMT coming home with a season of strong success in his wake or making his first sunset solo flight with accolades from his pilot educator and even now seeing his determined study to become a pilot in the US Navy.
To watching Johnson gut through high school sports earning every spot he has ever attempted under a level of pressure that broke some, to making the decision to enter nursing school and finishing strong, to becoming an ICU nurse on a COVID-19 wing during a worldwide pandemic and now growing into a businessman who most certainly will succeed.
One always hopes as a parent that we inspire our children to grow, do, achieve great things in this life, to be women and men of character, honor, and work ethic, but it is you children who have inspired me.
Not only are you committed to becoming the best individuals you can be, but you do so in an environment where you have had to work hard and against some odds to achieve that goal.
It is my prayer that you continue to remember that what you treasure in your heart will be the fuel for all the inspiration that you will ever need to achieve your goals…
Always remember….love each other for you are one another’s greatest earthly blessing, be there for one another in good times and in bad, communicate with one another often, lift each other up, hole each other accountable, and stay close together as you journey through this life…
Let your individual inspirations be the glue that binds you and helps you accomplish your dreams so that at the end of the day, you have memories to look back on fondly
Be inspired by one another….and, inspire each other
I is for Intentional
Above all else, be intentional with your lives
I love Dolly Pardon’s quote,
“Go find yourself and do it on purpose”
She gets it…
Each day we are given is a gift…one not to be wasted nor taken for granted, and that is my prayer for each of you…
Live each day on purpose as if it is your only day
Forgive those who hurt you
Let go of things which break you
Pray for those who are in need
Seek ways to be a giver
Chose a career which is also your passion and calling
Be brave and try things which might scare you
Love deeply
Judge not lest you be so judged
Don’t hold grudges
Tell the truth
Give your spouse your extravagant love and the best of you
Learn to say I am sorry, please forgive me, how can I make this right
Don’t take those you love for granted
Work to live don’t live to work
Travel
Find a hobby and grow into it
Learn to enjoy the small things for they really are the big things
The feel of your mom’s hand in yours
Your siblings successes bring pride to your heart
The laughter of your spouse
The smell of your babies at bath time
The feel of the floor when you kneel down to pray
Take…make…time to embrace all of life…all of it…
Be intentional…now….today, while you are living it so that you don’t miss a single moment
When time brings sorrow, learn to find joy that overcomes
When life is full and happy, lean into it and pause to take it in
Be intentional
Be purposeful
Be committed to each day
For, tomorrow will come and you will find yourself fifty-nine and wondering where all the days will have gone….
So, live each day fully, wonderfully, and well
Do so with adventure, passion, and joy
Find in each day the heart to forgive, the courage to face your fears
And the spirit to love
ILYAOYMC,
Mama
