“It’s better to wear out than to rust out”.

I often fall into bed completely exhausted and am practically asleep before my head hits the pillow.

As tired as I am, I am grateful to be so tired. I am grateful that I have 5 kids that keep me hopping, a husband that shares the ups and downs with me, a job that challenges me, a home to take care of and nest in, and great friends and family that fill the spaces in between. But I’m not going to lie. I’m tired. Often. Always.

But I really wouldn’t want it any other way.

I remember trying to decide whether to go back to school to be a Speech Pathologist. I had been out of school for a few years and working full time. Going back to school meant a drastic change in lifestyle, financial constraints and a logistical nightmare. I sat down and discussed it with my ex husband’s aunt – Elaine – one of my all time favorite women (who sadly and suddenly passed away on December 24, 2001). I deeply respected her opinion. I was complaining about how it was going to take me 3 years to complete my degree and would require much sacrifice. I was considerng not doing it for those reason. She said to me “Three years are going to pass, whether you become a Speech Pathologist or not. You might as well use that time to become what you want to become”.

It really stuck with me and I often think of that conversation.

Time passes. You can be doing something you really want to do or you can sit around – rusting.