And Now You are 8 Years Old

 Dear Marie,

You are now eight years old.  It hardly seems possible since I remember the day you cautiously entered the world like it was yesterday.

When I think back, those early days perfectly foreshadowed the person you would become.  You approach everything with a careful, watchful eye and need to do a great deal of observing before participating.

When you were a baby and a toddler, I remember that your physical and occupational therapists look down on these traits saying that you were too shy.  They got that wrong – you are not shy; you are an introvert.

Your introvert personality has wonderful qualities – you are insightful, articulate, and thoughtful.  You L.O.V.E. reading and writing, and you are really good at both of these.

But your introvert personality has a flip side, too.  You have a tendency to overthink things.  You worry a lot.  Change is hard for you.  I mean, really hard.

And this year has been all about change – changing schools, changing homes, changing friends, changing swim teams.

My heart broke as you struggled with all of this newness.  Many mornings I watched you get on the bus with tears in your eyes.  So many times I had to fight the urge to take you off the bus and let you stay home.  When you struggled to go to sleep because the rush of thoughts would not stop, I would feel guilty that I passed on this horrible trait to you.

But you never gave up. 

You went to school everyday and never asked me to keep you home or pick you up early.   

I want to let you know how proud I am of you for fighting for your peace of mind.

I am proud of you for accepting help from others and using the tools you were given to help yourself.

You inspire me with your perseverance, your courage, and your strength.

My wish for you is to choose joy, even when it seems easier to let worry wash over you.  Believe me, joy might be harder, but it is always worth it.

I will always be here for you.  Always. 

I love you forever,

Mom

Listen to Your Mother: A Look Back in Photos

It hardly seems like Metro Detroit’s first Listen to Your Mother was only a week ago. 

I have so many feelings that I am still processing and still wrapping my mind around the magnitude of this experience.  I mean, it’s not everyday you go up in front of a live audience to talk about one of the most difficult moments of your life.

So even though I’m still working through some emotional stuff, I wanted to share something about this experience.

Here are some of images from that day that the photographer, Jarrad Henderson took. You know, when you take a photo and it doesn't match up to the feeling you experienced in that moment?  This was totally not the case.  Jarred is an amazing photographer, and I felt he really captured the essence of the experience.  Thank you, Jarred, for your beautiful images. 

Metro Detroit’s Listen to Your Mother show happened here at St. Andrew’s Hall.  Eminem has performed here.  So have the Red Hot Chili Peppers.  Never in a million years would I have ever thought that I would have performed on the same stage as awesome talent like that!

And can you believe that there was a line to get in?!  My family was second in line here.  They don’t mess around when it comes to making sure they get good seats.

Here is where we got to hang out before the show.  What a great space!

One of the best things that have come out of the show is this sense of belonging, of being on the team.  Bonds have been formed.  I am fortunate to have met not only amazingly talented women, but also genuinely kind people.

This photo cracks me up.  Yes, I was concerned about my eye makeup.  In retrospect, I am not sure why since I was teary eyed for most of the day.

I was totally surprised by this beautiful necklace that producers gave us each created by Sara Russell of Sara Russell Designs.  I was just happy to be there. And now I have this awesome piece of jewelry to always remind me of that day.

An inspiring champagne toast right before going on stage.  Here are the producers, Angela Youngblood, Jessica Watson, and Angela Amman, along with Reshounn Foster and Ber-Henda Williams. 

And here we are with Dr. Earlexia Norwood from one of our sponsors, Henry Ford Health System.  

Here I am on stage.  Me on stage.  That is crazy!

I am glad I could not see my family because I would not have been able to be in the moment.  So I am grateful that Jarrad took this photo of my husband, my dad, and my mom watching the show.

Ta-da!  We did it!

Holy $hit!  Can you see all of those people there!  Even the balcony was packed! 

Aww, look at that good-looking group!  Here are some of my family members that were there to support me.  It meant so much to me to have friends and family there.

And to these lovely ladies, thank you from the bottom of my heart.  Thank you for thinking I was good enough to be on the team.  Thank you for helping me see myself in a different light.  Thank you for creating a positive environment to share our souls. Thank you.

 If you like Jarrad's amazing photos (and honestly, how could you not like them?!), be sure to follow him on Twitter and Instagram.  Also be sure to learn more about his project Beyond This Place which examines the Black Greek Letter Organizations and how they have helped shape American culture.