I received this picture today from a young lady who I have known since she was little. I don’t remember taking this but I was pregnant with my youngest son who is now 23. I have no idea what was going on with the hair cut (so bad) but the dress is cute. I look so young and innocent, wow how that has changed. I think 25 was a turning point in my life as I decided that I was going to go back to college and finish my degree because I had 2 little lives I was about to set and example for. Best decision ever, 20 years later both my young men are also college grads.

If I could go back in time I certainly would do some things different as a parent but moving forward I need to learn to stop being the helper enabler). I tend to always think about how can I make their lives easier and this often leads to frustration when I feel like I am not being appreciated. Which makes me ask myself do I need to feel appreciated, I guess so. This year I turn 50, oh my god I said it out loud, ha and someone once said if you expect nothing from others you will never be disappointed so for the second half of my journey I am going to continue to try and learn to appreciate and acknowledge myself and all that I am.