Emerson...Day 1 ~ 15 Minutes

We are afraid of truth, afraid of fortune, afraid of death, and afraid of each other. Our age yields no great and perfect persons. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

You just discovered you have fifteen minutes to live.

1. Set a timer for fifteen minutes.
2. Write the story that has to be written.

(Author: Gwen Bell)

If I had 15 minutes left to live, I would spend the entire time holding onto my three sons and telling them each all of the things I love about them. I would want them to know without any doubt that my love for them could not be any stronger or deeply, deeply embedded in my heart! As long as I knew they understood, I could be at peace.

It's interesting how if I knew only had a few minutes left to my life, how my mind would shift to what I love. I'm mean - really think about - I may only have 15 minutes to live as of this very minute. There is not one of us who knows our time left on this Earth.

Why do we spend it living in regret? Why do we ask ourselves why we didn't do this or that? Why do we strive for perfection when it's an impossible task?

My life as a Mother did not turn out as a fairy tale - married, happily ever after - and I have let myself be angry for having to do this job "alone". I know I've made mistakes raising my boys, but I believe they know how much I love them. I know now that my childhood prepared me for this challenge of being a single Mother. There have been many days that I have wanted to give up, but knowing I had my boys depending upon me, I pressed forward. I got out of bed, wiped away the tears and said a prayer to make it through the day...sometimes to make it through the minute.

As I look back on the years that have passed ever so quickly raising my children, I can only pray that I taught them well, that I was enough, that I expressed my love for them. You can let yourself get so wrapped up in everyday life that you forget what is really important!

I know after writing with this thought in mind that I must live this truth. I must know in my heart that I am strong, caring, loving...and move away from the regrets! I must let my children know what I love about them - not worry as much if the dishes have been done - and make sure they know with all their heart that I love them with all of mine.

And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count.  It's the life in your years.  ~Abraham Lincoln