It’s sometimes hard to be the leader in this life when your body and mind seem to be fighting you everyday. I strive to not only be a leader in my own life but to also lead my daughter into becoming a responsible, kind and active member of society every day. Albert Einstein once said, “Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value”. Navigating this very important thought, I have come to the realization that while I cannot run around and jump with my daughter, I can and will be the most influential person in her life, and lead her into being an exceptional person.

We went camping this Labor Day weekend and I once again had the challenges I consistently face sitting up front and center. I could not go down the big slide with my daughter because I have a newfound fear of heights, which frustrates me. I cannot trust my own balance but it was a proud moment to watch as she climbed those stairs by herself, waited patiently in line, and slid down with the biggest smile on her face. She was not only having a blast but it also gave her a sense of independence and we both loved that!

I will also continue to embrace the values I instill in my daughter, like honesty and integrity, which are far more important than the physical things I may struggle with. I will take pride in learning to give myself a break in regard to my physical limitations, knowing that I am the person who will have a huge impact on the caring and responsible person my daughter will become.

“You know, life fractures us all into little pieces. It harms us, but it’s how we glue those fractures back together that make us stronger”. ― Carrie Jones

💜