I began with the closet where I store supplies, old files and trade show display items for my business. Then I went through each folder in my personal files and found warranties for appliances I no longer own, expired coupons and some papers that I never should have saved in the first place. Then came the enjoyable task of grinding up all that paper clutter in my paper shredder. Shredding old papers can be liberating! I’m still shredding paper today, but it will probably only fill 7 or 8 grocery bags, not as impressive as the 77 pounds that your friend recycled!

As a CVA current parent and a CVA alumni parent I get it. That fire in your boys that makes them live on the edge and live life for all it’s worth…all the while I sit in awe of their abilities to defy gravity and fly free in the universe. I cringe when they begin to ascend. In the same breath I trust their ability and have learned to fly myself…funny, a Mom learning so much about freedom and living and choice from her sons. I am thankful for them more and more with every new conversation and insight they share. Mom to Mom…we are blessed.

Please give CVA’s best to the boys…and tell them to stay on top of the snow!

We would love for them to share their alumni lives with others, current students really benefit from CVA Alumni…they can share on Facebook CVA Alumni page.

Then I got bone cancer and breast cancer, lost a leg and a breast. (Ironically, learned then learned to downhill ski for the first time).

Can we cover all the bases? I think we can try our best and teach them the skills they need, and then we have to let go and live (and let them live enjoy what they do).

You are doing a great job of that Sallie!

YOU are amazing! Insightful. Great Mother. I am glad your boys are OK. And, they can continue doing what they love and live life! viva la vida!

I was speaking with my mom yesterday, 84 years young and the mother of 9 kids, and more grandkids and great grand kids… She was worried about me, my health, as I work to create Time Well Spent, following my vision to my authentic self and purpose. We had also been chatting about my niece, living with MS, and having just given birth to twin babies, perfect little miracles.

It is the paradox of motherhood, that we give of ourselves and want the best, fullest lives for our children, even if the happiness that brings includes a sense of worry and concern in us. Of course, we worry for their safety, their health, their happiness. We love them! And, yes, we let them go and we bear that worry (sometimes more quietly than others!), trying to put it all in perspective, if we are to enjoy and celebrate our own lives and the lives and accomplishments of our precious children, not just when they are newborns, dependent on us for their every need, but forever – long after they’ve left the proverbial nest, spreading their wings and flying where the wind and their own hopes, dreams and passion take them. So, worry is a piece of the whole, but only a piece.

You’ve captured that balance well, that awareness of their precious lives, made more meaningful because they do follow their hearts and their passions, but with Mom and a home-cooked meal in a loving home waiting when needed ~ and our love forever with them, regardless of where their journey takes them. That they have the courage and passion to pursue their dreams means we’ve done our job. But, we never really retire, do we?

Thanks for sharing…
Fondly, Nancy Gallant

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THIS IS A DREAM JOB! No gimmicks. No catch. Work from home whenever you want!

In all seriousness, I continue to work to put systems in place for those things that do cause a particular problem or must be made a priority, like the bill paying and mail processing system (it just ain’t fun!)…

Hope to see you at the NSWIB event, my first! N.

p.s. I have a friend in Ipswich who just started a group that meets 2x a month to organize a photo album for those of us with graduating seniors… she is fabulous at helping get photos organized… Let me know if you’d like to come to one meeting to check it out! It’s got that whole accountability thing going, got to get ready for the next meeting, as well as a social and creative element in a safe, welcoming environment.

Best, Nancy