The Journey

Have you ever thought about what freedom means? We talk about it all the time. We hear on the news that an entire political party wants to steal it. There are songs written about it. Relationships have ended in pursuit of it. Many have died protecting it. Jesus endured crucifixion so that we all may have it. So, what does it mean to be free? A quick Google search yielded extensive, revelatory meanings and descriptors of freedom. As I read through each one, I felt the mission of wanting to protect it. I can see why power-hungry individuals would want to take it and I can certainly understand why we would rather die than give it up. Freedom is the state of being free which means: -You are not confined to a particular area or forced to remain in a particular place. -You have liberty as opposed to bondage or slavery. -You have independence which is the freedom to live as you choose without outside control or influence. -You have the power to determine your own actions. -You are exempt ...

Photo by Renee Daughtry Photography My chin began to quiver as tears threatened to spill from my eyes when a memory tapped on my heart's door this morning. This was not a proud mommy moment and it is not one I have ever recounted to anyone, but this was a defining moment that changed my outlook on parenting and on myself as a mother. Some of the details of this particular night escape me as several years have now passed. I remember it to be a night like most in which we were going about our usual nightly routine before bed. I tucked both girls in and turned off the lights. I know I was quite annoyed by something though I cannot remember exactly what happened. What I do remember is closing the door and making the off-hand comment, "Well, do it yourself, then. You certainly don't need me. I don't know why I even bother." I left the room and continued the tasks to be tended to before I crawled into bed. After a half-hour or so, the door to the girls' room creaked...