Chances Are Like Opportunities

When I was a kid, 

I thought fifty years old

was old.

Like, next-to-death Old.

One's life is more than half-over by 50.

That's true.

But, like the middle of a good book

this is where the plot thickens

and there are surprises 

to keep you on your toes.

As it turns out,

there's a whole lot of exciting things

to be learned 

the closer you get to the end of your life

than previously thought!

Fifty-plus years and I am still an anxious learner.

Last Sunday was Mother's Day.

In my attempt to get insight into my impact upon

my own yahoos' lives,

I texted six of them (minus Dean)

and asked them a simple question:

"For my journal entry today, I ask asking each of you to answer one question: 

please tell me one thing you have learned form me. Just the first thing that comes to mind."

The answers that came back:

Diana: "To be brave under difficult circumstances."

David Scott: "I'll be honest, the first thing I thought of was spinach lasagna. More to the point I learned to love learning."

Arianna: "I learned to Grow The Hell Up cause you can't be shy all the time because then you won't live life to the fullest. Amen brother sister friend."

(Lots of laughter from her reference to our after thought of what our family motto should've been for 2014, according to Diana.)

Joseph: "I have learned that she doesn't want me to grow up."

Danielle: "How to TP! And be adventurous! And love someone based on their insides, not their outsides!"

*

You know, being a Mother to Many,

I have accepted the fact that I never know what my yahoos

might say in all situations--

but I know it's important to ASK these open-ended questions--

important for all of us.

I have to say that I love their responses.

Yes! I want them to be Seekers of Opportunities!

                                                          To be ON the Dance Floor

so they can dance!

To be willing, worthy and prepared

for chances to shine their best!

We are all building foundations in our lives

for the Life we want--

and I am amazed, even at age 5-0 +

the opportunities that continue to come to me

for the taking!

I am grateful for the chances to express my talents and interests--

they come to me more and more each day--

big things are on the horizon--

chances taken earlier have prepared the way

for these opportunities to develop.

Just as the scriptures say,

We reap what we sow.

But seriously,

you haveta be out there sowing something

for it to grow.

And that's alot of work.

I have heard it said that it takes just as much energy

to make a happy life as a unhappy life.

I don't know if that's true,

but I can say that it's really sweet when 

you see your dreams coming true.

Especially on this side of fifty.

Carry on People.