I Can and I Will

Recently my mother moved to Florida after living within an hour of me for over 9 years. I went to see her before she left and she gave me a very special gift.

First of all, no one orchestrates a move like my mother. She has done it so many times, she has it down to a science. She packed up her ENTIRE house in 4 days. When I walked in thinking I was there to help, there was little left to be done. At first, this made me very sad. That she should be so adept at packing up her WHOLE LIFE is testament to the fact that she has done it many times before. Not only can she manage it quickly and efficiently but, as a long time friend of hers pointed out, she can also do it with LITTLE OR NO MONEY. It's amazing! When I mentioned to her that it made me kind of sad, she responded by saying she has always been one to pick up and move on to the next place. She's right. My mother is the 'rolling stone' in our family. Where I crave stability, consistency and settledness; Mommy is different. She is always prepared for the next adventure.

During my visit she told me that one of the reasons she was leaving was because she wanted my brother and I to be able to live our lives independent of her. The she didn't want her care and well being to be our responsibility. While I understand her logic there, I also bristled at the idea. I mean, she took care of us. We can certainly return the favor. I don't think I said that to her at the time. I love my Mom and I have always felt that her care should be my brother and I's responsibility when the time came.

She was afraid I felt she was abandoning me. That thought never crossed my mind. In life we have to do what we have to do to take care of ourselves. My Mom NEEDED to move to Florida for her own well being, financial security and sanity. She expressed that she wanted me to focus on relying on myself and my own strengths and to beleive more in my own ability. She gave me a mantra to put anywhere I needed it and use as my guiding phrase. I CAN AND I WILL.

I miss my Mom alot, but I have her with me all the time in this one little phrase. I can hear her saying it and see her smiling when she does. As I look at the work that I am trying to do now to find and reach my personal potential, my Mom gave me something fundamental to my success . . . I CAN AND I WILL.