I was blessed this past weekend to celebrate Mother’s Day…for the sixth year…
Growing up, I never thought I would be a mother. I was told I couldn’t. I let it go for years focusing on work and other areas. I came to peace with that wouldn’t be part of my world…and if God wanted me to be a ‘Mom’ it would be through being an Auntie to my amazing nieces and nephews of my besties…or a dog mom…and as I have learned, life never goes as planned and sometimes it has you look in the mirror and realize what you said you would never do or would never happen…well, DOES.
There was a point in my life where “never” became “yes, let’s.” For seven years I fought to make “yes” a reality…and on an August day back in 2018 received a call that “it worked.” I sat in the garage, speechless. What has unfolded since that day is nothing short of miracles, navigating unknowns and what-ifs, failing and learning, and embracing the journey of motherhood that never ceases to amaze, challenge and teach me.
Music is something that across every chapter of my life, through the ups, downs and twisty-turns, I lean on…so on that August day I started a playlist…that playlist was intended to be something that as I sat with my kids over the years would be a way to bond…also a way for them to know that no matter what, Mama was always there.
Yesterday, getting ready for dinner, I put it on…I don’t listen to it often, though I do add new songs to it every once in awhile, given the boys are now 6…and I have ‘bigs’ that influence the playlist too…it isn’t a long playlist…and it always reminds me of the woman in 2018 to the woman I have become now, the chapters in between…and how grateful I am where life continues to bring me and give to me.
I never thought I would be a Mama. Now I have twin 6-year olds and also am blessed to call C2 sons…who teach me in different regards, given they are grown adults navigating their chapters with style and the grace they bring everyday. Motherhood is a journey, which has taught me patience, grace, the true definition of chaos (in a beautiful way) and that even when you think you will never do something or that you don’t want to or that ‘it isn’t in the cards’ – you will be surprised…because what is meant to be does happen…even when you think it won’t or you don’t want it or won’t ever have it.
In closing…here are some of the songs on the playlist…and the ‘why’ they landed on them…For those reading…my hope is to share find joy in one of these songs…and when you listen to it, it speaks to you, just as each of these songs will always speak to me differently because they have become not just a song, but part of my fabric and my path. And to my kids… E&T … and to be step-sons, C2 … remember you are loved and there is a proud Mama over here smiling at each of you through every phase of life, always and forever.
Some of highlights from “THE PLAYLIST”…
“In the Morning Light” by Alex Schulz … no matter the time of day we will always find light to shine …
“God Gave Me You” by Dave Barnes ... God always has a plan, remember that …
“Something Just Like This” by Chainsmokers, Coldplay … no matter what, RISK, I will always be here to catch you if you fall …
“Lovely Day” by Bill Withers … there is always something lovely about each day, find it …
“Castle on the Hill” by Ed Sheeran … you can always have a place to come home, watch sunsets, and share hugs …
“Wake Up Where You Are” by State of Sound … I wish you for all the love that make you want to wake up and dance …
“You Make My Dreams Come True” by Daryl Hall & John Oates … ah dreams, never stop dreaming little ones ….
“I Believe In You” by Michael Buble ... I will always believe in you and always remember to believe in yourself …
“Don’t You Need Somebody” by RedOne, Enrique Iglesias, R. City, Serayah … because we all need a feel good dancing song …
“Call On Me” by Starley, Ryan Riback … you always have me, you always have each other, never forget that …
“One Call Away” by Charlie Puth” ... no matter where in the world I am, I am a phonecall away, always …
“Southern Cross” by Crosby, Stills & Nash … look up at the stars, breath it in, and my love will always be an anchor …
“Walk of Life” by Dire Straits … enjoy this life, it is a gift …
“Let My Love Open the Door” by Pete Townshend … love is a gift, I hope we will always remind each other through anything that our love will never fail and always there to help lift us …
“Call It What It Is” by Josh Kelley …
“Look What I Found” by Lady Gaga … I found something I never thought possible, being a Mama. Never stop looking for the art of possible, you never know, so keep exploring …
“H.O.L.Y.” by Florida Georgia Line … God has you, always have faith, never lose it, even when the demons come …
“Safe and Sound” by Capital Cities … I hope you always remember to dance and know I will always be a place of safety for you …
“Bring It On Over” by Billy Currington … the CLAPPING SONG. Bring it on! …
“Golden Age” by Chris Staples … remember each chapter is your golden age. There is gold every step you take. Find it. ….
“Jingle Bells” by Michael Buble, The Puppini Sisters … Never lose the magic of the holidays and the sparkle of the simple ‘goods’ in life …
“Hold Back The River” by James Bay … I will always be here to lean on, cry with and ‘let it go’ …
“Affirmation Song” by Doggland, Snoop Dogg … remind yourself you are capable of it all …
“Slow Dance In A Parking Lot” by Jordan Davis … Slow down, dance, soak in the small moments. Put the phone down and DANCE …
“Love Somebody” by Morgan Wallen … I wish love for you, in all phases of life. And know you are always loved, so much …
“Starting Over” by Chris Stapleton … you can always start over, you can always make your dreams come true …
“Whatever It Takes” by Imagine Dragons … you have the strength inside of you to do whatever it takes …
