Inspiration

This year has consumed me. I am tired. I have to laugh when my students tell me they are tired. They are never amused when I tell them that is one of their first introductions to adulthood as I cannot remember the last time I was well rested. Yet, there always seems to be enough in the reserves for whatever needs to be done. That is a lesson I have learned from Ileana. No matter what we need to do or what we need to find money for, there always seems to be enough. It may not be for everything we want, but there is always enough for what we need. I am reminder of that throughout this Thanksgiving break. It seems that all of my family has hit a rough patch and me, the eternal fixer of things, feels very helpless.

My brother-in-law and sister brought hand painted ornaments to our Thanksgiving meal for us to place a wish in for the upcoming year. Every year we get to add a wish into the ornament. I wrote my wish last night and wondered how I could ever fit in all the wishes that I would love to see happen. The wish I wrote was selfish. I want to finish my doctorate this year. I feel bad. It's not often that I wish for something so selfish and personal, but honestly, I couldn't put so many other wishes in there.

I am grateful for so many things this Holliday season. I are so many things of greatness, that I am humbled by the strength of the people in my life. Last night a car pulled out in front of Ileana as she was on her way home from taking her mom, grandma, and aunt home from our house for Thanksgiving. Besides for some aches, pains, and soreness today and a damaged car, she is ok. She is home. I must admit that my heart stopped a little when she called home to say what had happened. She keeps me going and keeps my life filled with love, support, and encouragement. She keeps me going.

I have learned throughout the years that there are moments of inspiration that keep us going. Sometimes they are small, but they are always enough.