Happy Birthday to me! Happy Birthday to me! Happy Birthday dear, Electa!

It's my birthday, it's my birthday! Go Electa! Go Electa!

As a new celebration of my birth looms on the horizon, March 2nd, I feel so geninuely blessed and can't help but do a bit of reflecting on my amazing journey thus far.

There are a few things I've learned, well actually I've learned quite a lot, but for purposes of this blog I'll only share a few. A couple of things I've learned during my uh, coughing and clearing my throat, ??? years on earth are:

1. Life is short and precious. Don't take it for granted. Make a difference. Be a difference.

2. Age is simply a number.

As I've grown older, I have come to realize that there are two types of people I've crossed paths with during my lifetime. There are those who realize life is short and precious. They have elevated their state of existence in some manner. They are at peace with themselves and have discovered a purpose. At the end of the day, they realize it's not what you say but what you do to make a difference in the lives of others.

These are people who have let go of the baggage and discarded the clutter of life. They realize when they look in mirror, only they are required to love themselves back. And it's all good. They aren't looking for confirmation or validation from anyone. They are way pass that stage. It doesn't matter what your parents said, did or didn't do. It doesn't matter what material things you do or do not have. It doesn't matter how much money is in your bank account---it simply doesn't matter. When it is all said and done, you have to find peace within yourself---only then will the joy come. And joy really does come in the morning!

Going back to purpose, type #1 has discovered it is a responsibility as human beings to give back to others. Yes, it is our responsibility to mentor to young girls who have lost their way or simply don't know any better! Yes, it is our responsibility to teach boys how to become men! Yes, it is our responsibility to instill a moral compass within our children and to be a source of inspiration and guidance! Yes, we should be our brother's and sister's keeper because I've learned that it really does take a village to raise a child!

Our gifts were bestowed upon us for a divine purpose. It wasn't an accident. There aren't any accidents; everything happens for a reason. How are we and who are we to walk away and not accept the responsibility and not use it to uplift, inspire and embrace. That's the secret to a peaceful, happy life: Give back to others, find peace within yourself and use your gifts to inspire others to reach higher and be a beacon of light. Some of us are so lost we need a light to reflect our path.

The second group, even with age, haven't awakened and realized that age is just a number. It's all mental baby! I finally understand what the "old people" from back in the day meant when they stated they still felt like a young girl or a young man at heart. You really are as young as you feel. . . or as old as you feel.

The youthful appearance may fade, the muscles and joints may ache, the wrinkles and gray hair may appear,  and the suppleness may leave in some places, but that still doesn't undermine the fact that we should continue to live life to the fullest because we only get one and personally, there is too much I want to see and experience before it is said and done. I want to experience much that falls between the hypen that will be on my tombstone.

Every day is an adventure to me.  I have an adventurous spirit that will probably be with me to the day I die. I'll be the old woman sky diving from a plane. . . well, maybe that wasn't a good example since I'm afraid of heights. LOL. I thrive on discovery, seeing new and exciting places and things. I enjoy meeting new and interesting people that expose me to new ideas, cultures and concepts. I love to be taught and challenged and shocked and loved and pampered and spoiled. . . Embrace life with a passion and it will love you back ten-fold.

So on March 2nd, I will not look at it as another day older but as another opportunity to experience all the beauty and splendor that life has to offer.

The Best Mom I Know

Experiences such as the death of her mother, two years after her own birth. Abandoned and given away by a young father. Adopted by a poor, Christian family. Became a single mom to two girls. Lost her only biological sister to an early death. Years passed, and lost a third child to an early grave.

For most of us, these are ingredients for the makings of a tragic life. Yet my mother, Dorothy Ann Taylor, chose to triumph over tragedy. She made the mental decision to win and not be defeated at the hand she was dealt. Her entire life was lived in a matter that chose to see the positives over the negatives, always with style and grace. I think my mom, Dot, as we affectionally called her, figured out that life is what we make it out to be and family is whoever you hold dear in your heart.

Regretfully, I lost my mother, my best friend, to breast cancer many years ago; yet, it feels like only yesterday. Years have passed, but the pain and yearning for my mother remains. My mom was my rock---the only person who has ever loved me with unconditional love, accepted me for who I am, flaws and all. Her unbending strength and strong fortitude were my shelter during silent storms and how I miss the many conversations in which my sadness and lows was quickly turned into genuine laughter. There were many happy times, too many to list. Laughter was always present in our home because my mom had a wonderful sense of humor and always kept us in stitches.

Growing up, looking back now, my mother did the very best she could with what we had. We may not have had a lot of material possessions, but we had a lot of love and that was enough. My sister and I grew up with a wonderful sense of who we are and our place in the world. My mom had a way of making me feel very special and she was so proud of my successes no matter how large or small. Even though I never told her, my mom was my hero. Even on her deathbed, she was a symbol of grace, strength and faith…still thinking of others and putting others first.

My mom's gifts to me: she taught me, by example, how to be independent, self-sufficient, strong and confident, how to always hold my head high in the midst of my failures, how to pray, how to reach for the stars, believe in myself and to follow my dreams. That's her legacy. One I hope to pass on to my daughter, Briana.

My mom was a dreamer, an achiever, a wise woman, a survivor…the best mom I know, my hero. Dorothy Ann Taylor. Forever and always in my heart and soul.