Text Box: Over a late night glass of wine
Children gone down
Fallen fast asleep
Reflecting in the bottom of a dime store glass
On the lessons of youth

Shy girl sitting in the park
Hides from others
Makes no sound
Just sits under the evergreen reading prose
Of mystery and beauty

Middle school graduation dress
White eyelet lace
Lilac satin ribbons
Avid innocence, just a young fawn ready to bound
Out into life’s meadows

High school’s hoop earrings
Excess accessories
Acid washed persona
More faded than her hope for something better
She personifies small town

Mother of two with golden hair
Trying to survive
Not enough hours
Trying to cling to the dream she was promised
A silent warrior sleeps

Nearing 40 and awake at dawn
Armed with wit
Ready to roll
Prepared for the battle to take what is hers
Don’t underestimate her

Julie.Avery 09.17.08 ©

My Mantra

“There is no such thing as

over qualified when it comes to helping others. For what other purpose did I learn things, if not to pass them on?”

Text Box: Upon reflection of my life, I have come to realize that every incident for as far back as I can recall (be it good or bad) was a gift.  Life is a series of lessons that we can choose to acknowledge and learn from.  I have never asked WHY 
something happened to me, instead I ask, “What was I meant to learn?”

Perhaps I have learned more lessons the hard way than a lot of people, but I do not believe it was without purpose.  In fact, every lesson learned has led me to this point.  I am at the beginning again.  I have little left but the things that truly bring me joy (my children, photography and writing).  I choose to not regret the things and the ones I’ve lost, choosing instead to be grateful for the time that I had them.  While I do have few possessions remaining and I have lost many things that were once my world, I still have the thing that matters most and that is
PRIDE.

I have a sense of pride in all the things I have learned up until this point in my life with the understanding that they would all be pointless if I could not use them to help others.  Life is a journey, and mine has already been long and at times 
arduous, but if anything I have learned along the way will ease the journey of 
anyone else, I will willingly share it.

There is no such thing as over qualified when it comes to helping others.  For what other purpose did I learn things, if not to pass them on?  Life to me is one long lesson occasionally interrupted with pop quizzes.  I took notes.  I’ll let you read them.

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