#1000SPEAK ABOUT NURTURING…
I have to say that of all the topics that could have been chosen this was probably the most difficult for me. I don’t think I am a nurturer by nature. It’s something that I have to work at, it’s not something that simply just is. I thought about being a mom, a daughter or even a wife. No, that isn’t how I would describe myself and apparently neither would my family. When I asked them…well, they are still laying on their backs laughing like hyenas!
When we are young before we learn about life and responsibility we all have dreams. Some of us want to be president, a fireman or maybe a doctor, or a writer. We act those dreams out as childhood dramas over and over. We can see it as clearly as our dolls and trucks. We daydream about it while we are sitting in church or in school. We even dream about them while we’re tucked into our beds at night.
As we get older those dreams take a back seat to friends and school, college and husbands, and jobs and kids. We dream about houses and vacations as we live our 9 to 5 lives. We pay bills, buy groceries, join the PTA, but where do those childhood dreams go?
They are left behind in the dark shadows and are often neglected as we live life on a daily basis. They are only brought out in our wishful thinking or our late night dreams. Like a neglected garden, slowly being choked out by overgrown weeds and a broken down fence. We can remember though, the taste of a perfectly ripe tomato, the sweet taste of corn on the cob and the snap of a green bean, but we can no longer see it as clearly as we did in our youth.
Can we go back and breath life into those old dreams? Can we fix the broken down fence and pull all of those weeds? Can we do what it takes to turn those dreams into a reality? I say we can if we do the work. We have to be willing to sacrifice and do whatever it takes if our dreams are strong enough. We have to nurture them like tender young seedlings that fight their way through the fertilized dirt. We may even have to start over a time or two. Each of us must decide if we are to bring back our dreams or to let them finally rest in peace forever.
So far, these monthly posts are teaching me a lot about the person I am and the person I want to become. While raising my self-awareness they’re slapping my self-esteem around quite a bit. I’m a pretty compassionate person. I’ve spent part of my life as a bully and the only thing that I can successfully nurture are a string of letters that become words, sentences, and paragraphs. We’ll see what next months topic will be…please be gentle…apparently, somebody needs to be!
Remember to:
Appreciate the good, laugh at the crazy, and deal with the rest.
I love you momma!
I was expecting to read something about Alzheimer’s caregiving. I’m so glad you talked about yourself. I put all my dreams aside while I was raising my kids. Blinked my eyes and now I’m trying to nurture some of those dreams while I’m nurturing all the other people in my life.
We’re in the same boat! I write about Alzheimer’s a lot of the time but as with life it’s only one part of my life. There is a lot more to me than just that one title so I write about just about anything that catches my eye. I am so happy you enjoyed it!
I agree with you about doing the work–that’s what it takes. Show up, do the work!
Exactly Carol that is why I voluntarily sit here at 4 am and love it!
This is so beautiful…
Thank you glad you enjoyed it.
I love your post, Rena and can truly relate to it. 🙂 As a kid, I wanted to become a writer. I dabbled at it – wrote stories, kept diaries and journals. Then I graduated and life got busy finding work, moving out on my own, etc. etc. I completely lost sight of my writing dream for decades and decades. Nearly 2 years ago, when my Mom passed away, I needed an outlet for my emotions I guess. I started writing again. I started a blog. It’s been a tremendously wonderful experience – especially the opportunity it’s given me to meet other wonderful writers (such as you). 🙂 I’m not the prize-winning novelist I once hoped to be, but I’m writing every week. I’m nurturing my dream … and who knows, I just might actually write a book some someday.
I started because I was going crazy alone and afraid as a new Alz Caregiver and it’s the best “me” thing I’ve ever done! Thanks so much Marcia!
Great points Rena about evaluating a dream. A dream at age 10, 20, 30, is it really what you still desire?If not let it go and go after some other dreams. I don’t remember much of the 1980s because I had my head down working in life. If I could tell myself back then I would say, Look up and touch base with your dreams before you borrow down again!
I am just now starting to follow my own dreams and each and everyday is an adventure that I can’t wait to begin! You are a role model for making dreams come true Haralee!
I was surprised at your assertion that this topic is hard for you because in my mind, you are a wonderful nurturer – for your mom, your kids and your grandchildren!
But, I understand what you mean that in the grind of daily life, we forget or are unable to nurture ourselves and our dreams!
I’m glad you at least get to nurture your writing through your blog! 🙂
I don’t know Roshni I have always felt that I love and take care of but I’m not sold on the “nurturer” title it doesn’t feel like the right fit. Like wearing a shirt that is to tight!
This threw me for a loop because of how nurturing you are with you mom, daughter and grandbabies. But knowing you a little bit I can understand completely. Good insight
Taking care of and nurturing are two different things…I think!
Nurturing is quite a taxing job, although not strictly a job, since it comes from the heart. I do admire you Rena and understand perfectly what you mean. I think the reward – in the shape of love- is worth the nurturing “work” all the way.
This one just seemed to stump me for some reason! Makes me think to hard.
Rena – I think you are a very nurturing person – your blog reflects the careful way you conscientiously go about it – with your mom…and the babies. I know it feels like work – but the fact that you felt you must take your mother in instead of shipping her off to a home surely reflects that you have a very nurturing spirit. Even if it doesn’t feel like it.
Thanks Liv, I hadn’t thought of it like that I just knew it was something I personally couldn’t live with.
In the short time I’ve known you, I have to say that you are very nurturing. The care and love you show your family is endless. But I did enjoy your take on this subject and we can’t ever stop dreaming!
That’s true Lana, to stop dreaming is to stop breathing.
I love how you have pointed out that we must nurture our dreams. But, Rena – I totally disagree with your self-assessment! Whether it feels natural or not, you nurture the people around you every day. And, when I wrote my post on this topic about the nurturing nature of bloggers – you were one of them who was foremost in my mind! Many of our blogs and spirits have been nurtured by your sharing of our work and supportive comments!
Thanks so much Susan. I always thought that the writing would be my favorite part of blogging turns out it is a close second!