Do What You CAN’T

I like to think that I am the queen of making do. Doing what I can, with whatever I have, wherever I am. It’s really not exceptionally hard. Anyone can do it. I believe it’s just having faith that you CAN that makes all the difference. Do What You CAN’T.

Do What You CAN’T

This past week was spring break for Sweet Guy. I absolutely love having these extra hours with him because it is all going by SO fast!

Like many young millennials he loves to watch Youtube videos and earlier this week he said “Hey Ma, you gotta watch this video. It reminds me of you. You will love it.”

Now even though I was writing a school paper I set it aside to watch the video because trust me, I always jump at the chance to interact with my teenage kid. 🙂

WARNING: This video contains an “F” bomb. Sigh. As I always tell my kids, “ You are smart and can express yourself so much better than that!” 

Happy Tears

Some of my best moments with my kids have been when I set aside whatever I was doing to focus on something they thought was important.

This was no exception.

After the video was finished I asked: “Why did that remind you of me?”

He responded, “Well, you know. All your life you have been doing what people told you what you shouldn’t or couldn’t do. But like, in a good way.”

This was followed by “Mom, are you crying?”

Say Yes

As a parent, you sometimes forget that your kids are watching…listening…absorbing…even when you aren’t aware of when you are teaching them a good lesson.

My son knows the story about how his dad and I met. That within just 3 months of dating Mr. Decor asked me two things. (Keep in mind that I had a 7-year-old daughter.)

1. Would I marry him?

2. Would I move to a far away country where I knew no one and didn’t speak the language?

The vast majority of people who heard this told me I couldn’t possibly do this. I shouldn’t do this. I would be so stupid to do this. It would be irresponsible for me as a parent to do this. Don’t do this.

I ignored what everyone thought was “Good Sense” and said “Yes”.

To this day it is a thousand times…YES.

You can also ask that little girl in the photo below if she thought it was a good decision. Ask her if this guy is a good dad, did she like living on Crete and in Germany and I have a pretty good idea what her answer would be…

A thousand times…YES.

The Doubters

Of course, talking about living on Crete and in Germany brings to mind another story.

I was between 15 and 16 years old and returning home from school. I had stopped by the library and picked up a few travel books on New York City and Paris. Even at a young age, my heart held many dreams.

I placed the books on the kitchen table.

As it happened one of my mom’s friends was over visiting. She and my mom were both sitting at the table. My mom’s friend reached over and grabbed the top book.

“Are you doing a report?” she asked.

“No, I excitedly replied. Someday I plan on traveling the world and I thought it might be fun to do some research. Figure out what I want to see.”

She looked me in the eyes and plainly said: “I doubt you will ever go anywhere.”

Shocked, I said nothing… having been taught to respect adults.

My mother said nothing.

I then simply gathered up the books and walked away.

But that moment, oh that moment spoke volumes to my heart.

Years later I saw this same woman at my mother’s funeral.

She came up to me, sheepishly smiling. She said, “You probably don’t remember this, but I once told you that you would probably never travel anywhere. I guess you proved me wrong. Just how many states and countries have you been to now?”

I smiled warmly and said, “Oh, so many that I have lost count.”

Out of politeness, I didn’t say that:

Each and every time I had stood in front of a famous monument, entered a historic building or gazed upon a piece of priceless artwork I had thought about her and what she had said…

… And smiled.

I smiled because God plants seeds even when the world tells you they won’t bloom.

There have been numerous other CAN’TS.

Having undiagnosed A.D.D. made school a real struggle for me. I was told more than once by family members, teachers, and a guidance counselor that I was an “idiot”, “stupid”, “worthless” “a total moron” and that “I would never go to college.” 

In just 14 short weeks I’ll be receiving a second degree in the areas of art history and American history. (The first degree was for interior design.) Attending school still has not been easy for me but I have learned some skills that help. Unless I really swerve off course I will graduate summa cum laude ~with the highest honor.

I’ll be smiling then too.

Other “You Can’t” moments haven’t taken quite so long to prove wrong.

Moments such as when I was told by a vet that a dog I wanted to adopt was too far gone from abuse to rehabilitate.

But hands down, the very best “Do what you CAN’T”

Mr. Decor and I were told, “You can’t ever have children.”

After three long, hard and sometimes painful years, this same Youtube loving boy was born a month early. Guess he was eager to help his mom out in saying “Yes, I can!”

In all these instances I refused to listen to what the world said. I simply prayed and carefully tuned in to the soul’s soft murmurings.

I want to make it perfectly clear that in ALL of these instances this was not my success. All glory goes to Him.

This week, no matter what your dream, I hope you remind yourself that yes, You CAN!

Laura