I’ve stated elsewhere that my mom was the one who fought with me side by side to defeat the worst thing I’d ever come up against.
And my dad provided the foundation to our strength with which we waged that war.
But Dad got his page. Now Ma gets hers.
This page is dedicated to my mom
The worst thing that has ever happened to me – worse than addictions, worse than war (I am a Marine Gulf war vet), worse than divorce, worse than death even (I’ve been clinically dead twice)…was my fight with bipolar disorder.
And mom’s story is inextricably intertwined with mine, especially in this area.
I now know that everything that came before it had a hand in its creation and in its end. It was an ironic enigma that both grew itself and provided me with the material to kill it.
It also enhanced my reality in a way I’d never have reached without its pain driving me on to constantly search, test, and grow. Bipolar has been the harshest gift that life has given me so far.
But I beat it and I did so mostly with my mom’s help
My mom has a heart that extends far beyond its physical being and goes deep into the lives of everyone who comes in contact with her. She doesn’t make this happen. It just happens.
I have watched how people are drawn to her and how they all feel that she may be able to help in some way.
The reason why this is so seems to elude her. But I know why it is. It’s that big heart of hers. 😉 She has no control over it.
Her empathy for others and her desire to help are not even a conscious thing for her. They just are. And from there, my mom does her best to do what she feels is right.
This way of being enabled her to save her son’s life and then help him to grow into a person far beyond either one of their collective assumptions of what was possible for him. And she guides him still to this day.
And I’m not quite sure what I’d do without her as she still keeps me inspired, calm, and on point
My mom keeps me clear on my mission and the funny thing is, she’s not even sure how she does that!
She is my Number One Counselor and she is my best audience, providing me with the feedback I need to continue to grow in a way that allows me to be the best help to all of you out there.
Here’s some of what she taught me that I hope to share with you as we work together:
- Listen to others with great empathy
- Inspire others through your actions
- Be kind
- Be present
- Take care of the family, no matter what
- Don’t let people take advantage of your good nature
- Be supportive of those you care for the most
- Know your limits
- Be perceptive to subtleties
- Be gracious
- Be tactful
- Don’t lie to yourself
- Brush your teeth and floss nightly
- Pick up your room while you’re at it
- Be reliable
- Do your best, even when you’re in a disadvantaged situation
- Expand your vocabulary constantly
To sum up all Ma taught me:
It’s why we’re here.
