What If...

Throughout the years, I occasionally (when things get difficult) think about all the things that I could have done differently in my life. What if I had gone to the college that was farther away from home and became a marine biologist? What if I had done something differently in my marriage so that it didn't end in divorce? What if I had had children at a younger age? What if...

It is so easy to get caught up in the “what ifs” of my life, allowing the negativity of those thoughts to bring me down and make me feel like I have failed somehow. If I’m not careful, I can lose sight of the blessings that came from my life’s journey which led me to where I am and what I now have in my life.

If I attended a different undergrad college, I probably would not have had the opportunity, honor, and privilege to serve in the Army National Guard for 24 years, travel the World, and work with so many phenomenal men and women performing missions much greater than ourselves helping others in this nation and abroad.

If I had become a Marine Biologist, I might not have become a teacher and had the opportunity to learn and grow alongside my students and witness their exciting yet sometimes scary transition from childhood into adulthood. I can only hope that I touched their lives as they have mine.

If I had not experienced loss in divorce, I would not have learned to pick myself up again, to discover that I am so much stronger than I ever think I am, and that I never have to put my life on hold waiting for someone else to experience it with me. I also would not have moved to Georgia which would have prevented me from developing many great new friendships with people who lift me up and help me grow.

If I had children at a younger age, I would not have had as many of the amazing life experiences which have helped me to grow into the person I am today. Most importantly, I would not have made the best decision of my life to enter into motherhood at age 41 and be blessed with my wonderful daughter Faith who reminds me to look at life with the wonder and curiosity of a child, to approach every new experience with excitement and joy, and see the world with optimism and hope.

Although I have had many ups and downs, and life has not turned out as originally planned, I KNOW that I am blessed. I don’t live in monetary riches or have fancy things, but I have an abundance of everything that is important to me which is found in the people, mostly family and friends, sometimes acquaintances, who’s lives and experiences have intersected with mine. I guess you could say that I am rich in that way.

As I ponder my life on my birthday, I feel compelled to share these thoughts and my birthday wishes with you. I wish for you to be able to focus more on the journey of your life and not so much the destination. I wish for you to always look past your “what ifs” or regrets and see clearly the blessings that are waiting to be noticed and cherished in your life right now. Finally, I wish that when we cross paths in life that I will be a blessing in your life as you will be in mine.

Take care and God bless!

(Originally posted on my Facebook page on 4DEC2019)