Once Upon a Time...

I've got a story.

It actually begins 25+ years ago in a small suburb of Dallas, Texas. In a school room, not unlike the ones today. With a rather random group of students waiting for their English teacher to grace them with her presence.

This is where I met Leigh.

Leigh and I bonded quickly...much to her dismay. She will even tell you. She was set on not liking me as I was friends with her older brother and anyone friends with her older brother was NOT a friend of hers. Obviously, we got past that.

We spent a great deal of time together becoming true friends. Our core values were (and still are) the same. Our moral compasses were set with Crazy Glue and we supported each other. But as often happens in life, after high school graduation, we set off in different directions and ended up losing touch.

Until Facebook. Good grief... . Some days I hate that website (let's face it, it can be a big ole' giant smoke screen) and some days I love it. Hence...getting back in touch with dear friends.

Since our reconnection on Facebook awhile ago, we immediately picked up where we left off. Only with a LOT of stories in between. One common denominator is our love of writing and our desire to write books. Yes...there's another story there and you will be able to purchase it at Barnes & Noble, Borders, Amazon.com, etc...in the future. That's all I'm saying for now...

Now...Leigh will tell you I've been just as much a blessing to her as she has been to me over the course of these past 16 or so months. However, I will tell you...it's simply not true. She has listened to me when no one else would.  And I mean 'listened'. She's not given me any (**any**) unsolicited advice. She hasn't made me feel bad about decisions and choices I've made. In short, she's been a friend. She's been completely supportive. She's reminded me what it is to put others first and how when we do, it all comes back to us tenfold. Having the courage and responsibility to step out of your shoes and into someone elses. She reminds me about LIFE. And that we are all here...all of us connected...for a reason and that we shouldn't take it lightly or for granted.

So tonight when she told me about something she used to write on her bathroom mirror on particular mornings, it fit in perfectly with my world.

"What am I going to do today and how is going to affect others?"

Great thing to reflect upon.

We are all part of a world. It doesn't revolve around any particular one of us. It goes around and around and we are all in it. Connecting with each other. Or choosing not to. Loving each other. Or choosing not to. Making memories together. Or choosing not to. But regardless...we are all in it together.

Of course, sometimes the choice isn't ours to make.

I'm coming to the heartbreaking conclusion I won't be there for the various memory-making moments in my kids lives I always, always thought I would be. I'm unwillingly realizing they will make childhood memories that I either won't be there to witness or just flat won't be a part of. But...I choose to be connected to them and these moments. I choose to encourage them to chase after the memories that will make them happy, because they deserve it. Oh man do they deserve it. And as part of my responsibility, I will choose to start each day knowing what I do will affect them...and others. I choose for them to be happy kids and for me to do whatever it takes to help make them that way. There is nothing more important in the world than family...I think I've said that before?! Simply put...they come first. No if's, and's or but's. Never.

Thank you Leigh for reminding me where to focus. Heartbreak sometimes takes that focus away. Friends like you always have a way of bringing it back.

Always Remember and Never Forget:
"Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It is a very mean and nasty place and it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't how hard you hit; it's about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward. How much you can take, and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done. Now, if you know what you're worth, then go out and get what you're worth. But you gotta be willing to take the hit, and not pointing fingers saying you ain't where you are because of him, or her, or anybody. Cowards do that and that ain't you. You're better than that!"
~ Rocky Balboa