The Path

A long time ago, when I was in 7th grade, so let’s just say decades ago, my Mom told me I should be a writer.  I had written a fictional story for my English class and she loved it.  From a little girl, I would devour book after book.  I would come home from the library with a pile as high as my knees.  Granted, let’s not kid ourselves, I wasn’t reading Moby Dick like Matilda in the movie by the same name.  Every book I read, the words would just come alive.  I lived and breathed the stories I read.  I had the wildest imagination.

In high school, my curriculum was filled with business classes.  I had great aspirations.  I ran for a state-held position in Future Business Leaders of America.  I lost.   The overwhelming majority of voters stated that I was too shy for the position of President. I was well liked so I was offered the position of Corresponding Secretary.  I accepted and looked forward to the position until I was inappropriately touched on numerous occasions by my employer.  My path changed.

Sooooo…..I withdraw from my office.  Disappointed my teacher, my mentor.  I did not go  to the college of my dreams.  Instead, I worked as an Administrative Assistant for a group who became my second family. I took classes at night at my community college and pursued my degree in Business Administration.  I was blessed to date and marry one of my best friends’ brothers (we first me when I was a CCD student and he was one of the teachers – crazy huh).  My path now included wife,  business woman and future mom.

Becoming a mom wasn’t easy – three angels watch over us.  The birth of our first baby girl was my epiphany.  I wasn’t leaving my baby.  Then came our baby boy.  When he was just shy of three months old, I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer.  Work?  Not happening.  Health and family first.  My path changed to full-time mother.  When miracle baby girl number two came along just 3 years later, business woman became undesirous.  Staying healthy and raising healthy, respectful, caring, loving children became my passion.

I still read everyday.  I never lost that passion.  Book after book after book.  We moved from our hometown to Pittsburgh back to our hometown to Cleveland in seven years.  During that time, my cancer reared its ugly head a few more times.  After putting it in remission again, I realized I never finished school.  I absolutely did not want to become a business woman.  Yuck!  Not for me.  I wanted to be a teacher.  So, I went back to school to become an elementary school teacher.  My counselor convinced me to pursue English.

I graduated from college Summa Cum Laude in English.  I was so proud.  Now to get certified as an elementary school teacher.  Wellllll…..path change.  My mom was diagnosed with cancer and moved to Cleveland with my dad so that I could help him take care of her.  The best path change that ever happened.  I wouldn’t change those two years for a million dollars.  After my Mom passed and before my Dad became ill, I became a Yoga Instructor, Reiki Master, Chiropractic Assistant and writer.  All leading to…….

Me finding me.  Who I’ve always been.  That little girl.  The girl who would have been a meditating, yoga loving, tree-hugging  (except for the drugs), book writing, God loving hippie if she had been born a few years earlier.  Thank God, my family accepts my craziness.   No more will you find me at home dressed with full makeup on.  Now you’ll find me at home puttering in the yard and/or with my dogs in my jeans, sweatshirt and flip flops.  Peace in its best form.

Of course, there are days when I question my path.  Ha!  Let’s be real!  Almost every day.  I ask myself these questions.  Where am I going next?  If I pursue this, will it really happen?  Did these goals not turn to fruition because they were not the path I was to follow but the path I thought I should?  Was I following the path of someone else?  Did someone plant a seed and make me believe that this was the path I should take?  Was I too trusting of someone else?  Was I made to believe that my path would be easy and never change?

The only constant on my path is that I walk it with God and my family.  I walk it with God even when I question my faith.  There will be times when you’ll ask the same questions.  I can only advise you to stay true to yourself.  Keep your eyes on your God.  Follow your path, not the path of someone else.  Whether your path is winding, splintered, straight, wide or narrow, know that you are never alone.  Remember….someone is always with you no matter what.  That someone is God.

In all the ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.

~Proverbs 3:6~