“You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.' You must do the thing you think you cannot do.”― Eleanor Roosevelt, You Learn by Living: Eleven Keys for a More Fulfilling Life
This is an appropriate quote because of the hardships and struggles all of us are going through as we fight loneliness, fear and the uncertainty of our future. Enjoy the day. Reflect on the lessons your mother taught you and if you are a new mother think of the important role you play in the lives of your children. When I think of my mother I can say she has always been there for me. She loved me even at my worst (high school and some years in my thirties) and continued to believe in me and inspire me. I see a woman who has dedicated her life to her family. I see my mom standing next to all of her children during celebrations, disappointments, and growing pains of all kinds (even those adult ones). As I recall those moments there are a few I would like to share.
When I made a decision, at nineteen years old, to move to California my mother supported that decision. I am not saying she was happy about it, but she did not try to keep me from my dreams and my pursuits. She got tough and loved me for who I was. I wanted to search for my dreams and at that time I thought they existed on the opposite side of the continent. Three-thousand miles away did not prevent my mother from loving me. She loved me so much and showed this love by letting me fly.
I appreciated that love then and it shaped me and created the fearless man I would become. (Many of you know the history) Ten years later I would do it again and move only half way across the U.S. to Chicago)
During my time in the mid-west I was fortunate to land a regular gig at an amusement park playing a character in a live stunt show. This was in St. Louis and I was living there one summer performing in the show four times a day before moving back to Chicago in the fall. My mother and father made a trip to sit in the heat of St. Louis to watch me perform high falls, get punched and kicked and run around in tights. (The show was called the Robin Hood Stunt Spectacular). The journey to see me was something I won't forget because it was them supporting me as I pursued a career out of the ordinary. It meant she wanted to be there with me as I was on my quest. And finally...
When I was five years old on my first day of kindergarten I was petrified to be left at school. As I was dragged into the classroom screaming and crying and flailing my kindergarten teacher,Mrs. Connely, somewhat flustered, promptly opened a window. Seeing my escape, I jumped out that window and ran away. My dear mother caught up with me before I could get off school grounds and took me back to class. I wish I could remember what she told me, but the words were enough to convince me everything would be alright. When she picked me up from school that afternoon I was smiling and telling her how much I enjoyed the day. I imagine my greater joy was being near her again. I spent a lot of time with my mom as she stayed at home while dad worked. I was then and always will be in love with her. Happy Mothers's Day to my mom and all the moms in the world.
Be brave as you look fear in the face and remember you will be stronger once we get past this horror.
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