So do whatever it takes/'cause you can't rewind a moment in this life/let nothing stand in your way/'cause the hands of time are never on your side~~Nickelback "If Today Was Your Last Day"
Saturday morning I had the opportunity to reconnect with a truly amazing woman in my life. Irene is a friend of the family - she & her husband, Larry are friends of my parents. I was in high school when I first met them. Larry had been diagnosed with Multiple Schlorosis and left the military. She not only had two step sons to care for, now her husband would need care for the rest of his life. She was always smiling and positive and full of spunk. Then she decided to return to school (at a mature age 40+) and get a masters and PhD in psychology. If you know anything about that particular degree, it is one of the hardest to get. And yet she never slowed down in pursuit of her dream and was always positive. 15 years ago I returned to the Gulf Coast to watch her graduate with her PhD.
Saturday, I got to catch up with her face to face. Now that I have my own family and fought my own battles, she is even more amazing to me. She is still so positive (after almost losing her husband in January) and extremely spunky! She is nice & personable, but watch out when she becomes an advocate for someone! She is still so strong and you don't want to battle against her. While working full-time, taking care of hubby, and beginning the process of following her next dream - she became one-half of the vehicle that rebuilt the city of D'Iberville after hurricane Katrina. The amazing thing was the city is stronger than ever and an economic driving force on the coast. They did it all in 4 years with only team of volunteers!
She began talking about retirement next year. (She has been working as a middle school counselor all these years). When most people would be looking at slowing down - she's is taking on a project to "leave her legacy". Like rebuilding a city making it better than ever isn't enough? Now she will be opening a children's museum and cultural arts center in her town. She is midway through the process - has funding and even praise from the Smithsonian! She will retire in August and then start the labor intensive work of building this dream physically. And we will travel be there for the grand opening!
I have a big dream, a dream that would be my legacy. Not every one gets it or understands it. That's ok. I am willing to fight for it and make it a priority. Those that share my vision are the ones who get my time and attention. The only way this is going to happen is if I make it happen. Irene reminded me of that. So no more griping that so-and-so doesn't get it or support me.
I will make it happen and leave my legacy.
