A Message of Love and Inspiration: A Post-Mother's Day Post

I really hope that all the "Moms" of every kind had a wonderful Mother's Day!

I just wanted to share what my oldest boy wrote me in his Mother's Day card. I also hope that you will find this as inspirational as I do. I am not ashamed to admit that I cried when I read this:

 When god made men he said "they will be strong hunters and protectors." But when the goddes was up she said "even the strongest protectors need protecting" so from her own body she created mothers. To take care of the strongest worriors and protectors in their time of need. Nothing would be possible with out mothers. Mom you made me the man I am now my sister into the women she is, and my brother into the runt he is. We love you through the dark times, and the best of times. Forever and always your babies. Alexander Garcia

I left in all the spelling and grammatical errors on purpose. You see my oldest son has dyslexia and for him to write anything by hand is a struggle. He is a very intelligent young man who has battled with the embarrassment of bad grades and bad handwriting.

For several years I worried that he would never see a graduation day and that he would end up on the wrong side of the law. He was very stubborn and quick tempered. He had witnessed a very ugly divorce and all the drama that comes after. He is very protective, but still finds it hard to ask for help in many situations.

My Daughter drew this for me!

He has come a long way in a short amount of time. Sports gave him an outlet for his energies. Changing many of the people that he was hanging out with, helped to change his behavior (He still has the same best friend from the 6th grade though.) He has made many mistakes, but I can proudly say that he has learned from them and he has changed positively.

Alex will graduate with his class in less than two weeks thanks to the love and attention (and not to mention a lot of arguments and tears) from teachers, coaches, friends, and family.

He has a few goals set and very good plan for the future. He has come a long way with his life. A summer job is in the works, followed by him joining the military in the fall, and possibly a career in law enforcement afterwards.

A whole new world has opened up for my oldest son, because he changed the choices he was making.

What choices could you be changing to improve your life?

Wishing you all many Blessings and much Love,

A Personal Story of Finding Strength

Standing under the steaming hot water in the shower last night, I felt a tightness in my throat as a tear rolled down my cheek.

An image had popped into my head of a young girl giving herself a sponge bath. Two large bowls of precious hot water and a sort of bucket under her feet. She was so careful about spilling as little of the water as possible, as she washed herself. Standing in a cold shower in an even colder bathroom.

She had heated the water one pot at a time. She stood there shaking and shivering so hard that she had to keep her mouth clamped painfully closed. She had done the same mediocre bathing ritual to her younger brothers an hour before.

They were tucked into her bed, curled around each other for warmth, sleeping so soundly. She had found them all the extra blankets that she could. As soon as she would dry off and get dressed, she would crawl into bed with her siblings and keep them as warm as their shared body heat would allow.

That young girl was me.

Growing up, my family had some hard times.

I remember that winter so well.

No money for propane to heat the house or the water. Having to boil water for makeshift baths and washing dishes. I ate a lot of white rice and beans that winter, so my brothers could eat better. Walking to school, because I was too embarrassed to ride the bus, consequently being tardy a heck of a lot. I got teased about my clothes and my hygiene. No one knew the truth. No one cared to ask.

I've gone back to visit that young girl, in meditation.

I hold her, tell her I am so sorry for what she is going through. I tell her that someone knows now. I wipe her tears with mine as I share our pain, because I had to be so strong then. My brothers never saw me cry. I had to be strong for them. 

I have always had to be strong.

I have always had to.

For someone else.

Now I am strong for me.

I am still strong for others, I have a family after all, but it is a different strength.

I strive to be successful, because I have lived with the strength of sacrifice.

I live a life filled with love, because I have experienced strength during pain.

I am grateful for the good in my life, because I have been the strength in destitution.

I see others with an open heart, because I discovered my strength in ridicule.

I listen with my heart, because I was the strength of silence.

I give my smile easily. I listen without judgement. I speak with love.

I am very open and honest about my life and my self, because I am strong enough to.

I am a Mother. I am a Woman. I am Strong.

Are you strong?

Blessings and Love,

Andrea Faye