"Upsetting the "normal" while creating the beautiful." Annette Kruschek |
NEVER SETTLE...
" I never have, and I never will" Out of the mouth of my 19 year old son, Charlie. One thing I have learned over the years of parenting is that our time is SO short when it comes to molding, modeling, influencing, teaching and correcting. As each year passes and our children grow they emerge into their own being. Once they have reached adulthood it is time for them to take what they have learned from us and make their mark. My second eldest came home the other night; he bought himself a "gift" before he leaves on his big journey for the next six months. Charlie and his Dad had conversations about his "gift" but thought it might be a wise idea to surprise me once it was all done. The "gift" Charlie bought himself was a permanent statement, one that he never wants to forget... NEVER SETTLE. No matter where you stand with your opinions of tattoos, one thing that cannot be disputed is the statement... NEVER SETTLE. I am SO proud of this son of mine. 19 years ago God entrusted my husband and I into the role of being his parents. The years of Thomas The Train, track layouts that stretched through the dining room, Lego creations, (oh my the years of lego creations), Minecraft, cornstalk fortresses at the "secret fort", snow caves by the street lamppost, examining Mother Nature's beauty and her sheer force, running into the storm with no fear and coming out on the other end with a picture worth a thousand words. 19 years of creative thinking, artistic talent and childlike wonder has brought him to this point... He has chosen a path that takes him away from the "standard" checkboxes that this world sometimes stresses far too much. He is boarding a plane for Iceland for the next three months and then will be placed in either in Asia or Central America for the following three months. Six months of a journey begins in 9 short days! He will be stretched in a way like never before; diving into scripture, growing a deeper relationship with God and learning how to best help the less fortunate while traveling the globe. YWAM (Youth With A Mission) is giving Charlie the opportunity to use his talent of photography while helping those who are most in need. I couldn't imagine a better fit for my son. He leaves as one person but will come home as a different, (different in the most beautiful way) person. I saw it with Hattie and am mentally preparing myself for it with our second eldest. It's a transformation like no other. I've always said, helping others has a boomerang effect... it always come around helping you more in the end. When I read the words Charlie launched into cyberspace the day he bought his "gift" I realized that his permanent mark left me permanently touched, "I never have, and I never will." (quote from Charlie). Thank you God. Thank you for the gift of allowing my husband and I to raise him. Seeing those words written by Charlie reminds me that he "gets it". Life isn't about getting comfortable, settling in, being "okay" with your situation. He understands that stepping out, climbing up, taking the narrow path all leads you to your purpose. We all have "that thing" that makes us tick. God gave it to you the moment your heart started beating and you took your first breath. It evolves over time and it brews like a beautiful cup of coffee over the course of many years. DON'T IGNORE IT! Don't "put it off" because the timing isn't right, (the timing will NEVER be right). Don't let the world box you into a few checkboxes. My favorite checkbox sometimes is the one that says, "other" because it always wants an explanation. Explain to the world why living a life of purpose is much more meaningful than a bank account chucked full of money. Money can be earned but lives will never be changed or saved while you are waiting for the "right time". Thank you for permanently touching me with your assertive words, Charlie. I promise to never settle as a Mom and my beliefs in what I hold true about this world. May we all live as you... never settling. Continue to do what you do best... capturing the beauty of this world through the lens of your camera and the love in your heart. I have no doubt lives will be changed because of you. I have one final question for you, Charlie and it's a serious one... can I be in the room when you show your Grandparents your "gift"? Ha!
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AuthorI am a proud Mother to eight children and a wife to my very best friend. I work hard, play hard and love until it hurts. Archives
January 2023
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