Encouragement for Mothers to Follow Their Dreams
A mother's journey from unimaginable grief to reclaiming her dreams and inspiring others to never stop believing in themselves.
On April 20, 2003, my world shattered.
My son, Michael, ascended to a sanctuary in the sky. He was just fifteen years old, full of life and dreams, when a reckless drunk driver took him away from us in an instant.
In the aftermath of such a devastating tragedy, the future loomed ahead like a closed book, its pages hidden and inaccessible. However, as I navigated the turbulent waters of grief in the years that followed, I uncovered a profound truth that I wish every woman could embrace: no matter the hand life has dealt you, and regardless of your age, it is entirely possible to chase your dreams.
My awakening came during a serene moment in a Tucson park. As I walked side by side with my son Jacob, I felt Michael's spirit reveal itself in a gentle, intoxicating breeze. In that instant, a weight lifted from my shoulders, and the fog clouding my future began to clear.
The very next morning, Jacob-who steadfastly believed in me, even when I struggled to believe in myself-came home with a college registration form in his hand.
The following week, I nervously crossed the threshold of a classroom for the first time in thirty years, having graduated from high school in 1977.
When I returned to school, I was older, terrified, and completely out of place. Coming from a small town, I didn't even believe I had the foundational math skills I needed. My heart raced, my knees trembled, and I felt like a stranger in a place that seemed meant for young, eager minds.
Yet each day I chose to return to that classroom, I kept walking through the door, led by Michael's memory and propelled by Jacob's unwavering faith. I pushed through my fear and committed myself to the work. It became clear that Michael's spirit was guiding my steps and Jacob's faith in my abilities was carrying me forward.
Through that journey, I discovered that a woman's potential has no expiration date.
"To the woman who believes she has waited too long to pursue her passions, or the mother who thinks her dreams must always take a back seat, know this: You have every right to move forward. Success does not belong to youth; it belongs to the relentless. If I can do it, you can too. Do not give up. Your prize is waiting for you to claim it, and God will be there to guide your path."
Today, when I look at my daughter, I see more than a fierce warrior. I see a beautiful reflection of her namesake, her great-grandmother.
She carries the same unwavering spirit as the woman who pursued nursing against all odds. She quietly carried deep compassion as a source of strength while tirelessly caring for others. She raised three children with love, endured the heartbreaking loss of her brother, and remained the heart of her family as a devoted wife.
My daughter is a living testament to that same resilience, inspiring all of us to keep dreaming and caring, just as her great-grandmother did. She has dreamed of becoming a nurse since she was four years old.
My journey from profound loss to the life-changing world of education transformed me forever. If you carry a dream within you, pursue it with unwavering passion and determination.
Remember this:
- You are never too old.
- Your circumstances do not determine the boundaries of your journey.
- Your potential is limitless.
- Seize it and let it guide you.
- Your circumstances do not define your finish line.
- No one does but you.
Dreams Just a Thought Away
Butterflies are blue and pink,
basking in the bright sun.
She sees pale eyes filled with wonder,
though something within them carries sorrow.
Gravity lingers inside the cocoon,
where every wing is inked with a wild design.
For dreams are never won by staying still.
The stars fade,
and so does the moon.
Yet she dares to name
the things that might yet be.
The fire within her burns brightly,
washing away the gray of an ancient star.
The sun hangs high,
dripping buckets of gold.
Smoke drifts across the horizon.
She builds a castle in the sand alone.
She paints the landscape
of a hidden heart.
The horizon calls,
whispers,
then roars.
Darkness claims the path
she was meant to tread.
She listens to the rushing creek,
to the steady rhythm of her feet.
A distant shore beckons from the mist,
like a storm in the night.
She finds her way
by the certainty of eternal light.
Color spills from her palms
like sudden rain.
With every quiet hope
that kisses her lips,
she finds evidence
that she can live.
A girl who dreams
will always reach the stars.
Within her moments,
time still waits.
She reaches for the hope of victory.
So she takes a step,
however small it may seem.
Her courage is found
when the shadows grow deep.
She claims the light
where constellations shine.
She rides the wind
across a paper sea.
Beneath her feet,
the velvet shadows part.
She stands at the edge
of all she has learned through time,
building a life
of her own design.
For logic is not a cage,
nor are iron bars meant to keep her from being free.
She pursues each dream,
one at a time,
as a butterfly
takes flight,
blue and pink.
