Tomorrow is Not Promised

Remember those early days in a relationship when you were so in love and every moment was anticipated. Remember when you cherished each minute that you got to spend together?  Remember when you saw nothing but beauty and goodness in your love?  Remember when you appreciated all those little quirks that made your love so very special?

But then one day you were busy, or irritated and it wasn't quite so special anymore. One day you started to see flaws. One day you started to take that very special person for granted. You stopped putting on makeup or shaving your legs. You stopped cleaning out your car before a date. You stopped sending that early morning text. Together became average and expected instead of incredibly wonderful.

When I met my guy I knew he wasn't the one. I loved him but...

He works too much and watches to much TV.  He doesn't take care of himself.  He drinks soda and eats fried foods.  Sometimes, he eats a big bowl of ice cream with caramel sauce and whip cream for dinner (not a single vegetable). He even ...gasp...smokes cigarettes. No way was I going to commit to this guy whose lifestyle is so far from my own and who is headed for an early grave.

My father made those choices and I held his hand as he died. I would not go through that again.

Yet I loved him and I saw so much goodness in him. Even more, he loved me in just the way I needed to be loved.

One day, when I stopped judging him for all his failings, I came to realize that not one of us is promised tomorrow.  There are no guarantees. If you are going to love, love fully and deeply, right now.

I am so aware that this kiss may be my last. This night might be the last I spend sleeping in the safe circle of his arms. This may be the last dinner we share across the table. This may be the last time we walk hand in hand. This may be the last time I laugh at one of his jokes. Today may be his last, may be my last. You never know when you'll be hit by a bus, or a tornado or a heart attack.

I made the choice to celebrate each day we get to spend together, to cherish what we have and never take it for granted. If today is all I've got then today I will love with all my heart. Each today is a gift.

Tomorrow is not promised to any of us.

To my children, with love...

To my children,

Each one of us comes into this world for a purpose. We are here to learn and grow, to gather a vast variety of experiences. Each person comes into your life to teach you something. The only way we can learn what we need to learn, is by keeping our minds and hearts open. As soon as we close our minds and hearts we limit ourselves and others.

My hope for you is that you embrace life in all it's wonder. Go out into the world and spread love, joy and peace. Do not let yourself by held back by your fears but instead step into those fears. It is here that you will find your strength and your power.

As each one of you discover your authentic self and commit to following your own path, you will be beset by those who would, through their own fear, try to control your actions and manipulate your emotions. Remember that all of those negative emotions come from a place of fear. Meet the fear of others with love for when you meet fear with fear, hate with hate, it grows and spreads. Instead, make a conscious choice to spread love. Meet anger, fear, hate, greed, jealousy with love, kindness and forgiveness. Every time.

I will never suggest that living with an open heart and choosing love over fear will be easy. It will be challenging. There will be days you want to give up. There will be times when your heart hurts and you feel alone in the world. There will even be days when no matter how hard you try, your heart will close against others, you might crawl into bed and pull the covers over your head, you might rant and rail against the injustices of the world. But I know that you have the strength and the love within each of you, to open your heart again, to get back out of bed and when you stop ranting, to forgive those who hurt you out of their own fears. I believe in you.

Each one of you has a very special gift. This is your magic. It is there, waiting for you to discover it. When you find that magic hiding within and begin to live from that place, you inspire others to do the same. You will lead by example. Do not ever hide your light or play small. You are amazing! Live every day from that place of love and light. Whether you know it or not, your light, your magic, touches all who come into your life.

Mother Teresa said "There are no great things, only small things done with great love."  No matter what you choose to do with your life, do it with great love. This is how you will change the world. One small thing at a time, a smile, a kind word, a gentle touch. Yet this is not all. No. Every time... every single time... you choose your path over the way society might push you, you let your light shine bright and you inspire others to do the same. I have not once asked you to do something to make me happy. I have not once suggested that you follow the norm. Cling to your light, your magic. Fight for your light. Let it shine bright for all the world to see. And don't ever settle for less. Don't ever try to conform. The world does not need one more person doing the same thing as every one else. What the world needs is you, in all your brilliant glory, doing what you love. If only every child could be encouraged to follow their dreams and do what they love, the world would be a beautiful place full of light and laughter. It is only by embracing the light within that we can heal ourselves, each other and our world.

Namaste means the light in me sees and honors the light in you. This is how I would ask you to live your lives. Go out into the world, allow your light to shine and recognize that light shining in each person you meet. People come in all shapes and sizes and colours. They come from different locations and different financial backgrounds. They have different ideas, different political and religious beliefs  They will challenge you in so many ways. They will stretch your comfort zones. This is a good thing. Every time you face this challenge, remember that they have that same brilliant light shining within as you do. Perhaps you don't recognize their magic, but it exists just the same. Remember to honour it for what you send out into the world will come back to you. Spread light and love, see the beauty in the world, express gratitude and above all, remember to love yourself. You can't give away that which you don't have. Love yourself first, allow that love to spread and your love will heal the world.

When you were born, I held you and I loved you. I may not always be there to hold you in my arms, to lend you my strength, but I will always hold you close in my heart and love you with all that I am. I see your light. I honour your light. And I am proud of your strength and courage as your traverse your own path.

                                                                                      Love always, Mom