3 minute read
this newspaper clipping
A FEW DAYS AGO, I mentioned I was tackling the huge project of scanning (digitizing) all my photos (and other mementos), and backing them up box by box. Well…
Yesterday, I pulled another box off a high shelf in my closet. This one, I realized, was one my mother sent me years ago (before she died). In it is a hodge-podge of photos, a few notecards, and this newspaper clipping.
just before Mother’s Day
While reading the column, a few things really struck me:
For one, the name of the girl who wrote to Dear Abby and I shared the same name; my maiden name was Everett (probably one of the reasons my mother sent me this).
Wow! Mom, how funny! What are the odds?
And two, that I found this piece (from my mother) now, just before Mother’s Day.
Got the clipping (again)! Thanks, Mom, for sending it.
And three, I believe she did care about me. For years, we had a strained and contentious relationship. There was a lot about me she didn’t like. But, I think she really did love me—in her own way. I feel it, her love, now. Or maybe that’s just how I’m rewriting our story?
Happy Mother’s Day, Mom. Love you too.❤️
the point is…
Maybe you’re a mother grieving the loss of your child. Or maybe you’re grieving the loss of your mother. Maybe you’re feeling grateful, upbeat, and celebrating with loved ones today? Or maybe you’re feeling down, a little lost, missing them?
I just wanted to say: To all of us, to her (my mother), and to you, wherever you may be in your story:
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY.
And in case you need a little reminding (to believe in yourself—and not give up—to keep practicing—and just do it—and hang on to your dreams…), I wanted to send you this encouragement that I received long ago, and again yesterday.
To achieve your dreams, remember your ABC’s!
- Avoid negative sources, people, places, things and habits.
- Believe in yourself
- Consider things from every angle
- Don’t give up and don’t give in
- Enjoy life today, yesterday is gone
- Family and friends are hidden treasures, seek them out and enjoy their riches
- Give more than you planned to
- Hang on to your dreams
- Ignore those who try to discourage you
- Just do it
- Keep doing no matter how hard it seems, it will get easier
- Love yourself first and most
- Make it happen
- Never lie, cheat or steal, always strike a fair deal
- Open your eyes and see things as they really are
- Practice makes perfect
- Quitters never win and winners never quit
- Read, study and learn about everything important in your life
- Stop procrastinating
- Take control of your own destiny
- Understand yourself in order to better understand others
- Visualize it
- Want it more than anything
- Xcellerate your efforts
- You are unique of all God’s creations, nothing can replace you
- Zero in on your target and go for it!
– Wanda Hope Carter
Please share willower.org with someone you know who may also be trying to rewrite their life after . . .
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