Mother's Day - although this post is drawn from my, and my sister's, personal journey with our mother - it is also an invitation and a universal mirror. Upon reflection, you will recognize the same kind of lasting, profound memories of your own mother, or perhaps your mother's mother — moments and milestones that continue to impact your life.
Riding with the Wind: A Tribute to the Lasting Impact of Our Mothers
Reclaiming purpose requires looking at the pillars that truly sustain us. And when I look for the ultimate blueprint of resilience, faith, and unconditional love, my mind goes to one person: my mother.
The lasting impact of a mother is an invisible thread woven into the fabric of who we are. Long after they are gone, their voices echo in our decisions, their strength anchors our hard times, and their love forms the foundation upon which we build our lives.
Today, I want to share a tribute to my mother—a woman who lived with a rare, untamed vitality and a heart and resilience that knew no boundaries.
Unconditional Love: Seeing the Possibilities
Love is a precious gift, but the way our mother gave it was extraordinary. She possessed a rare, beautiful ability to love others unconditionally. Where the world saw flaws, mistakes, or shortcomings, she looked past those human frailties - to seeing the possibilities.
She believed in people before they believed in themselves. Her love wasn't transactional; it was a steady, radiating force that reminded everyone in her orbit that they were worthy, capable, and capable of growth. To inherit that kind of love from a mother is to be handed a shield against a harsh world. It taught us how to extend grace to others, and just as importantly, how to extend it to ourselves.
Up a Creek Without a Paddle? : "Make Your Own"...
My mother was not one for passive waiting or self-pity. She possessed a fierce, practical wisdom that she distilled into profound statements—words that entirely defined how she lived her life.
One of her absolute best pieces of advice is a mantra her children carry with us every day, especially during the difficult transitions of life:
"If you ever find yourself up a creek without a paddle, make your own paddle; and—paddle, paddle, paddle."
It is a masterclass in resilience wrapped in country wit. She didn't promise that life would always give us smooth waters or the perfect tools. Instead, she reminded us of our own agency. If the world doesn't give you a way forward, you roll up your sleeves, you forge your own tool, and you go to work. You paddle, you paddle, you paddle. You keep moving.
A Deep Faith and Life on the Edge
That relentless determination was paired with a spirit that refused to be confined. My mother lived "life on the edge"—not with recklessness, but with a vibrant, fearless enthusiasm for being truly alive. She wasn't afraid of the margins, because she possessed a deep and abiding faith that sustained her through the hardest of times.
Her faith wasn't fragile; it was an ironclad certainty that gave her the courage to face adversity with her head held high. Because she knew she was anchored spiritually, she was free to live boldly on the outside.
If you want the ultimate picture of who she was, you only have to look across the fields of her youth. She would ride bareback; the beauty of her and the horse riding across the field was the ultimate picture of her country girl—free, untamed, and riding with the wind. That image of freedom, grace, and harmony with nature is the eternal portrait of her spirit.
A Legacy of Adventure and Belonging
That untamed, joyful energy didn’t dilute with time; it was poured directly into the next generation. Mom had a delightful, running exclamation that perfectly captured her big-hearted nature: "My favorite grandchild is the one I am with at the time." It was her humorous way of making sure every single grandchild felt like the center of her universe. And for them, the feeling was entirely mutual. As one of her granddaughters beautifully wrote:
"Spending time with my grandma was not like spending time with any other grandma. You went on cattle drives, horseback riding, rappelling, camping, hiking, and so many other things. She was so much fun to be around."
She didn't just pass down stories of her adventurous youth; she invited her family straight into the adventure with her. She redefined what it meant to grow older, showing her children and grandchildren firsthand that a life rooted in faith and vitality is a life of adventure.
"There is so much more that we do with our lives..."
As we navigate our own seasons of change, aging, and rewriting our purposes - our mothers' legacies serve as a compass. My mother reminded us of a profound truth that challenges me every single day:
"There is so much more that we do with our lives."
It is a call to never settle. It is a reminder that our lives are vast, and our potential doesn't expire with a retirement date or a change in social status. There is always more love to give...more paddles to make and paddling to do... more rivers to cross - and more ways to serve a higher purpose.
We are the Continuation of our Mothers' Stories
We carry their unconditional love in our hearts, their grit in our hands, and their free-spirited faith in our souls. May we all continue to live boldly, look past the frailties of this world, and our own frailties, to see the possibilities, and keep paddling—riding, always, with the wind.
Your Mother: For Personal Reflection...
To preserve her legacy, my sisters and I collaboratively wrote a family book, a collection of family stories and photos - capturing and preserving her life for generations to come. Your mother's story does not need to begin with a book - instead, look at the tapestry of your own family. The wealth of a family isn't just in its heirlooms; it is held in the quiet memories, the shared laughter, and the lived experiences of those who came before us - our mothers. If those stories aren't anchored in ink or voice - they risk drifting away with time.
Take a moment to reflect:
What is the one story from your mother that always brings a smile to your face or offers a timeless lesson?
If you could preserve just three core values or memories of your Mother for the next generation, what would they be?
Your Call to Action:
The One-Question Interview: Call a family member or sit down with a loved one and ask just one question: "What is one of your favorite early memories?" Record the audio on your phone or jot down notes.
The Old Photo Anchor: Pull out a single old photograph of your mother—one that makes you pause. Write down approximately when and where it was taken, and why it matters.
Gather Your Tribe: Reach out to a sibling, cousin, or grown child and pitch a collaborative project. You don't have to carry the pen alone; shared memories create the richest stories.
Family photo: One of many family adventures - San Juan Mountains, Southern Colorado. Circa 1950's.
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