One of the things that brings me great joy is watching Julia’s Optimism. Whenever things don’t go her way, she responds “oh well…” then she’ll elaborate a reason why it’s fine with her. When someone asks her how she is, she replies “great” because she wants to make sure they know she is great. Fine or Good could just be an answer even when you’re feeling bad but “great” l leaves no doubt… she explains to me. I tried to explain to her that she is an optimist with the lemons and lemonade idea and and she responded, even just lemons would be great… I love lemons… indeed she does.
Where does this optimism come from? The belief that everything is going to be okay? Grandma. She passed this to me even in my darkest hours – she told me God had a plan for me. Even after many years of trying and four miscarriages she assured me that I would be a mother some day.
Her deep belief in God and his love for me, his plans for my life were her assured answers to my deepest concerns. Her constant praise and faith that I could be and do anything I wanted – built the foundation for my lifetime and this hope, optimism and confidence, I hope to pass onto my children in the same way she passed it down to me.
My parents legacy of love did not just affect their own children but countless others from the many foster kids they took in, exchange students and foreigners from around the world. The net of love they have cast hit the water and the ripples touch the lives of many. Has my mom changed the world… yes and most definitely for the better.
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Happy Mother’s Day!