Monday, August 23, 2010

What’s your word?

For those of you who have read or seen “Eat, Pray, Love”, you know what I am talking about with that question. What’s your word? That one word that describes who you are as a person. This is what I have been pondering over and over again this past week….I ponder it throughout my day….on my morning run, during my drive to work, basically at anytime I have to just let my mind think.

This past weekend we were able to spend 24 hours with my cousin’s daughter and then watch several friends compete in the Jackson County Triathalon. And during this time, one word kept going through my head.

RESILIENT

ADJECTIVE
1. recovering quickly: able to recover quickly from setbacks
2. elastic: able to spring back quickly into shape after being bent, stretched, or squashed

ADJECTIVE
Synonyms: hardy, strong, tough, robust, buoyant, irrepressible, spirited, resistant
Synonyms: elastic, pliable, flexible, supple, resistant, tough, durable, sturdy

Resilient: A little girl who has been through so much in 8 years, yet you truly wouldn’t know it after spending 5 minutes with her. Five weeks after her father ended his life, she is strong & spirited. Her resilience is helping my Uncle pick up the pieces each and every day and I am GRATEFUL for that. Although I may always have questions as to why Brian chose to do what he did and I may not understand the logic behind the crazy events that took place in that 24 hour period. I do know that for a brief moment all was calm and Brian made the right decision by letting her out of the house when he did. For that I am GRATEFUL and throughout our 24 hours together this weekend I caught myself chuckling and looking skyward every time she had a “Brian” moment…where she did or said something just like him. So, Aniston’s word is RESILIENT.


Resilient: Witnessing a man who has no use of his legs compete in the Jackson County Triathalon. I watched as his friends carried him down the beachy shore into the lake…as he swam the 500 meters…and his friends carried him out. I witnessed him take off on his bike for the 10 mile ride and return for a 3.1 mile “run”. I watched in awe as he made the final climb to the finish line….using 1 hand to steer and 1 hand to climb the hill and follow the curves of the course. I watched as he stopped in the middle of the hill…put his head down…and took a brief rest before continuing. I listened as the crowd got louder and the cheering changed from cheers for their loved ones to cheers for this total stranger. I watched as he crossed the finish line. I do not know his story, but can tell you that his word is RESILIENT.


Resilient: Many have said to me “you have the biggest, strongest shoulders of anyone I know”. My response is “I am resilient”. Throughout my life, I have faced setbacks….and through them I have become resilient. I have had to be resistant and durable when dealing with my relationship with my biological father who has come in and out of my life for 35 years bringing disappointment with him every time. I have had to be strong when loosing one of my best friends in an auto accident when we were seniors in high school. I have had to “get back up” many times in my life and keep going. My word is RESILIENT.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Just an Ordinary Girl

I am not sure that I can put into words how humbled I feel every time someone says to me "you are so inspiring with what you have accomplished recently" or "I admire that you are able to be a career woman, mom, wife and still accomplish your own goals" or "I wish I had half the drive or energy that you do". I honestly don't know how to respond....I stumble through a reply.

Obviously with 2 tween daughters, we watch and listen to lots of Disney Radio & Disney Channel shows. Everytime I hear the Miley Cyrus song "Ordinary Girl" I think to myself...there's my response....."I'm just an ordinary girl".....because that's how I feel each and every day.

I'm just an ordinary girl!
Sometimes I'm lazy
I get bored
I get scared
I feel ignored
I feel happy, I get silly
I choke on my own words
I make wishes, I have dreams
And I still want to believe
Anything can happen in this world
For an ordinary girl.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Simple Wishes & Big Plans

Morgan's 10th Birthday is just around the corner....more like 6 days....and last night she gave us her Birthday Wish List. It was humbling to read because she has always been the child with simple wishes & big plans.........hope she never forgets that.



In case you can't read it:

1. cute summer & fall school clothes & shoes

2. Selena Gomez newest CD

3. Make Up - mascara, eyeliner & lipstick

4. New Version of Bop-It

5. Arm Band for my Ipod

6. New Moon & to see Eclipse

7. Mia Hamm or Brandy Chastain Jersey

8. For you guys to look for a triathalon for me to do and possibly invite a friend to join me

9. to keep our family the same and filled with LOVE!