I was married at 18 and idealistic about the world. We were poor but it was a reasonable price for building our own life. I remember our reclaimed refrigerator, old with rust overtaking the remnants of white paint. But it was clean and kept the food as if it were new. My dad painted Cadillac White over the beat-up Toyota that was gifted to us in a show of support of a decision that pained him so.
Casey was the first, a little girl with bright red hair which gave way to golden locks. Then came Timmy, a boy so sweet he’d melt your heart with one look. It was their love that made each day one to remember.
The lessons came one after another, a divorce, a subsequent marriage to an abuser and soon I wondered where the girl who was going to change the world went. How did I get here? Where was I going? What have I learned?
Shannon, big blue eyes and a mind faster than lightning itself…the love, the lessons, the hopes for her future to be reflective of more than mine. Yes being a mom was always the greatest honor, my greatest joy.
I found myself again in my thirties. Worked hard and never stopped believing that I could do anything I set my mind to. The path was now much harder, a single mom with two failed attempts of finding the one. It wasn’t going to stop me. Every moment with my children made me happy to be alive.
By forty I finished my business degree, climbed to a financial safe ground, married a good man and gave birth to little Nicholas. This one was my super hero—never a moment without his cape flying behind him. Black for Batman, red for Superman and a blue cape just to give me a chance to wash the others. After all the mistakes I made, I was still blessed beyond my fair share.
The economic recession liquidated my banking job and left me with another transition to contemplate. I knew I had unfinished work yet to do. I’ve learned so many things. I finished an MBA, continue to teach for the local university with a passion to build up the young; prepare them for the flurry of decisions yet to beckon them to multiple possibilities. Choose well, be exceptional, and know you can do anything to which you set your mind.
There is so much talent in each and every child…so much promise. If they don’t discover it, it will be dormant for a lifetime. My dream, the job I am fighting for is the chance to create a company that will nurture, give light to the talents and dreams of as many as I can reach. If they want to sing, let them sing. If they want to write, let their writings be read by many. If they want to dream, let them dream that there is nothing they cannot do just as long as they believe. Then let’s watch them and smile.
Here’s to mothers everywhere. We are not perfect, but love makes the imperfect perfect to our young.
My warmest of wishes always,
Ellen
Via E Learning 