“So, I made a comment just like that to our guide, about his luck to live in such paradise. But what he said in response really struck me.”
‘My husband and I were in the Dominican Republic. We took a private horseback riding tour around the island. It was everything you’d think it would be.’
‘You grab a baby wipe to get the peanut butter off your leggings and pack it in the pocket on the door with umpteen other tissues and trash. She’s got it made.’
“She’s got it made. That’s what we think as we notice the mom who just parked beside us and got out of her brand new (and clean) SUV, sporting crisp, ironed clothes, coordinating shoes, and an Italian leather handbag.”
‘I remember how dark and frigid the inside was. It was completely empty. Not one piece of furniture. Nothing. I wandered into a room off to the side. I walked towards it, and instantly got chills.’
“When he got off the phone he said, ‘What do you think? Should we do this?’ I asked if he had seen what was on the wall and he said no. I showed him the picture. When he looked back at me, he had big tears streaming down his cheeks.”
‘Just as I was attempting to fall asleep, I heard my oldest son whimpering in his room. This is so unusual that I raced down the hallway to check on him.’
“I cried a little bit thinking about my dad and how much I miss him and wish he were here. I fell asleep for a bit, but a weird dream jolted me awake. There were some creaks. Then, there was silence.”
‘I stood there, firm in my stance, hands on my hips, and let them cry rivers all around me – to the point I became an island. Just a big ole, mean mom island.’
“I sure won’t apologize for it. I had to stop caring whether they were having a good time. I made sure my children knew, once and for all, I am more than a friend.”
‘It was only yesterday we were reckless and 18, and now we have an entire world of responsibility. Time is never guaranteed.’
“Since the age of 13 when I began to crave that drivers license, 16 when I began to crave freedom, 18 when I began to crave independence, I’ve been wishing to be further ahead in time. If only we knew how fast the time would actually go.”
‘This is the face of a momma who had a rough night, and then had a rough morning. Who is having a hard time forgiving herself for yelling. Who feels guilty, but isn’t entirely sure why.’
“Give yourself some grace, change your thoughts from ‘I can’t’ to ‘I will,’ and dry those pretty eyes. You’ve got this.”
‘You are phenomenal. Never give up. You can do this.’ I realized my student’s mother took the time to write on his pencils. I asked him if he would mind showing me the rest of them.
“I took the pencils he handed me. When I was sharpening them, I noticed writing on a few of them.”
‘After my dad died, I would beg him every night to visit me in my dreams. 6 months to the day after his passing, he finally delivered in a major way.’
“I just kept whispering, ‘Show me your face. Just show me your face. Please Dad, I just want to see your face.’”
‘I’m sorry I cheated on you in your dreams. I would love to say it won’t happen again but it’s out of my control.’
“A real man admits when he’s wrong. You have to own up to your mistakes. No excuses.”
