Dash of Courage: 75 Years of Wisdom

"Your life is the sum of your experiences."--Bill Perkins

How much time do you have?

My Mom turned 75 this week. 

I knew parts of her story, but not all of it. We all have stories and struggles. Highlights and heartbreaks. Dreams that have been deferred. We also have one thing in common: we wait for what we truly want.

Believing there will be time later for the dreams we have now. 

For her 75th birthday, I asked: what's your dream?

The answer: See Niagara Falls

We decided to go for it. A mom, a son, and a bonding memory from across the border. So this past weekend we bundled up, passports in hand, and headed on an adventure. Turns out it was 70 degrees and they didn't stamp her passport. So she bought every souvenir in sight and took 2 million photos. Amazing.

Seeing the world through her eyes, at her age, was pure joy.

Maple Syrup tasting - check
Walk underneath Niagara Falls - check

Purchase every photo they sell to tourists - double check

We spent one night telling stories about her childhood (turns out my Dad worked at K-mart and had a Pinto station wagon, Mom was a cheerleader and went to 3 proms - Go Mom!), one night telling stories about my childhood (I got a globe for Christmas one year instead of a basketball--that explains a lot), and one night listening to 75 years of wisdom in 7.5 lessons. These were her life lessons.

7.5 Lessons from 75 Years
1. Memories matter - buy magnets, souvenirs, keep report cards, take photos, these will mean even more the older you get.

2. Start with Self Love - Take care of yourself before you can take care of others. Your heart knows, heal it first.

3. You'll run out of time before you run out of money - That's just a great quote.

4. Walk with Confidence - even when you don't have it. Show up for yourself.

5. There is strength in every struggle. Stay strong no matter what you are going through.

6. Everything is going to work out...it's just when, we do not know. Trust it will. 

7. Every hardship is teaching you a truth. You won't know it then, but it is.

7.5 Red Lobster & Retail therapy solves almost anything.

A Dash of Courage: If you are lucky enough that whoever raised you is still alive, reach out.  Give them a call, a hug, or have a Dash of Courage to pick a date on the calendar and plan a trip together. It's never easy, it's never convenient, but it may just be the best thing you ever do.

Courage over Comfort,

Garrett