Never too old to be a chip off the block

My Mom made me cry first thing this morning. It sounds awful, I know, but if you know me and my Mom, you know that we're cryers. This was a happy cry though, and it came about while reading the super touching comment she left on one of my posts.

Knowing that my Mom backs me up in all of my ventures is one of the most wonderful things in the world. And as a bonus, she says little things that make me respect and admire her more and more, and I don't really think she realizes it.

Along the way to my decision to "follow the voice" and leave my job, I had a lot of reasons that could have held me back. They actually did for a while too. Not enough this, too much that, what about this and don't forget that... There were many times, recently and all throughout my life, that I let this and that hold me back.

When I was called my Mom to tell her about about my bold new choice this weekend, we got to talking about classes she's taking in college, and she said "you know what they say - you're never too old to learn!" and I realized that Mom and I have more in common than I often realize. Those words are very true - you never are too old to learn, but a lot of people tell themselves they are, regardless of age. I know because I've done it myself too. But my Mom doesn't, and so she takes classes and she enjoys it. Why? Does she want to get a new job? A promotion? Be knowledgeable on a particular subject? Just have fun? Get an education tax credit? Get student card discounts? Feel proud for achieving a goal? Meet new friends? You would have to ask her to find out, but by simply deciding to follow her heart and take that course, she's opened the door to all of those things and more, where they would all have stayed shut if she'd gone against her gut.

So thank you Mom - for making me cry this morning, and for setting an example for me to look up to. I'll never be too old to learn from you.

Photo: No, that's not my big sister, it's my Mom! :-) xoxo