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She stood in the storm and when the wind did not blow her away, she adjusted her sails.
–Elizabeth Edwards
My sweet, beautiful, brave friends, after much work and practice being vulnerable, I need to add resilience to the résumé. I am going to keep it 100 with all of you.
Recently, as I was driving away after dropping Q off at school, I looked down and realized he had forgotten his lunch. My plan was to drop it off, but first I needed to grab a coffee and run home to change, since I was wearing silk pajama bottoms, a flannel top, and a long coat that just nudged the top of my oversized moon boots (Quinn's boots actually). It was quite a sight, I am sure of that. I was in the coffee car lane when I got the frantic-breath call; mamas, you know the call. It's the I need money now. It was the due yesterday's call, and I need it in three minutes or I can't participate. MOM, HURRY, CALL! Ladies, don't come for me. I know: let them skin their knees, don't rescue, blah blah blah—believe me, I know, it’s not my first rodeo. Today, however, was not that day. I left the coffee line, since the only cash I had on me now needed to be used for the “911 call” I just got from #5. Sorry, Dunkin. I rolled up to Regis and got out of the car—in my long silk pajamas, gorgeous size 11 men’s moon boots, flannel, long coat, and of course my oversized glasses—and owned it. And that, ladies, is how you rock resilience.
Okay, it was not a big lesson in being resilient; I am not suggesting that my walking into school with pajama bottoms is some brave mom's move. Resilience, however, is active; you cannot be vulnerable or resilient without being authentic. Resilience comprises five components: self-awareness, mindfulness, self-care, positive relationships, and purpose (feelinggoodmn.org). So, on second thought, I was and am rocking resilience. Go me! But wowza, I am tired! Elizabeth Edwards did stand in the storm, and when the wind did not blow her way, she adjusted. Her life may have looked like an idyllic success from the outside and on paper. Elizabeth was a
very educated, accomplished lawyer with four beautiful children and the wife to a very successful businessman-turned-senator husband with high hopes of a run at the White House. Unfortunately, she struggled with incurable cancer and secretly helped hide her husband's infidelity. Elizabeth posted a message on Facebook the Monday before she died: … I have been sustained throughout my life by three saving graces – my family, my friends, and faith in the power of resilience and hope. She went on to say, The days of our lives are numbered. We know that.
Elizabeth was the whisper I needed. Her words are a gift and a beautiful reminder to live your best, most authentic life. As we move into this season, let's try and practice resilience actively. I am a redheaded, hot mess; but I am proud of who I am growing up to be. Happy spring, my beautiful readers.
The journey continues in faith, family, friends, fitness, and finance.
