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MUSINGS ON LIFE
I think; therefore, I muse
 
DIANE HUGHES • NASHVILLE, TN
WRITER, EDITOR, CREATIVE PROFESSIONAL

Old letter finds new life 

5/21/2012

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letter to my 20-year-old self
Thanks to the fine folks with the New Life Collegiate Ministry at California University of Pennsylvania, a guest post I penned earlier this year for Tess Hardwick's blog is being resurrected this week. 

In hopes that the wisdom of age might benefit, encourage and inspire CAL U students, the New Life Blog is running a series in which guest writers are asked to share sage advice with their 20-year-old selves. Following a few chance clicks on the Interwebs and a series of emails, the lovely Kim Wilson, who serves as director for the New Life campus ministry, invited me to take part in their series. My original post appeared in January 2012, so I hope my regular readers won't mind seeing it again. And while you're on the New Life blog, please take a moment to check out some of the other posts there. I think you might find them insightful and inspiring. I hope you enjoy Dear Diane at 20. 

Comments here are always appreciated, but please feel free to share some comment love over on the New Life blog.

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Ten things my mother taught me

5/12/2012

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Each year as Mother's Day approaches, my thoughts naturally turn to the most influential woman in my life. While she's no longer with me in the physical sense, Mama's spirit lives on through the life lessons she so lovingly taught me. In honor of Mother's Day, I penned a list of 10 random things my mother taught me. Some are serious. Some are funny. All are part of who I am. 

I owe my mother a debt I can never repay. And in spite of all my flaws and the mistakes I've made along the way, I think she did a pretty good job. Despite my best efforts at times to mess up my life, the lessons Mama taught me were always with me and guiding me to eventually do the right thing. Thanks, Mom.

Now, without further ado ... and in no particular order:
Lessons from mom, mother's day
My mom holding 1-month-old me.
1. You draw more flies with honey than vinegar. 

2.
 If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all. 

3. Black goes with everything. 

4. Never wear white after Labor Day (until Easter rolls around again).

5. If you play hookey or plot to run away from home, your mother WILL know. 

6. Don't wear your new pajamas; save them in case you get laid up in the hospital and need something nice to wear.

7. When scooping snow for snow cream, find the deepest bank in the yard and be careful not to scoop down too deep (or else you might collect dirt, grass and other debris). 

8. You can handle a lot more than you think you can.

9. When people are mean, kill them with kindness. 

10. Just because everyone else is doing it doesn't mean you have to. 

P.S. To the "other mother" in my life: Cindy, thank you always for your love and support. 

What memorable lessons did you learn from your mom? Whether your mother is alive or among the dearly departed, please share your thoughts in the Comments.
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The graduate: When dreams come true

5/5/2012

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graduation, a dream deferred© Diane Hughes 2012
The familiar strains of pomp and circumstance played in my head as I entered my old college gymnasium. It was early yet, and the building was rather quiet. But soon this space would be teeming with throngs of people — not unlike the days of my youth when I eagerly raced these hallways trying to register for my next semester of classes.

I thought of the sight to come: a sea of young people, dressed in regalia and filled with pride and the promise of tomorrow. This day represented the pinnacle of their hard work. Those prospective graduates would soon stand proudly poised to go out into the world and do great things.

I strolled the all-but-empty hallways trying to remember the location of the ladies room. Soon the familiar door presented itself, and I entered, coming face to face with a woman who flashed a smile and proceeded to don a graduation gown. Though she carried herself with a youthful exuberance, the faint lines on her face revealed that she was older than the average college graduate. I caught her eye in the mirror as she carefully practiced wearing the mortarboard; soon she began to recount the events that had brought her to this day.

The story went by in a flash. Her family was not one of financial means. Neither of her parents went to college, and it wasn’t a pursuit that was expected of her. As she zipped up her gown, she recalled dropping out of high school and working in a factory before finally enrolling in college – paying her own way.

But after 3 ½ years of part-time work and full-time study, she needed a break and took a semester off. One semester turned into another … and another. Then jobs and bills came, then marriage and a mortgage. In the ensuing years, she never let go of the dream to someday finish what she’d started. After some years away from the classroom, an inquiry with a college advisor revealed her prized goal was within reach. She set in course a plan of action.

And, now, here she stood in her cap and gown, having celebrated a milestone birthday only months earlier. The fulfillment of her hard work had finally come to fruition. As she draped the silver honors stole around her neck, her sense of pride seemed palpable; tears welled in my eyes as a wave of emotion washed over me.

As our brief encounter in that tucked-away ladies room drew to a close, I marveled at her strength and determination. “You should be very proud of yourself,” I said, looking at the reflection in the mirror.

Giving a last glance at the face staring back at me, I adjusted my cap, straightened my shoulders, flashed a knowing smile and said to myself, “Yes, you should be very proud.”

Do you have a dream? Are you working toward achieving a lifelong goal? How's it going and what obstacles have you faced? Please share your story in the Comments.

P.S. I fulfilled my goal on May 7, 2011, but I'm still on cloud nine over my accomplishment. To all of those joining the ranks and graduating this spring, I congratulate you on your achievement and wish you all the best for the future.

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    DIANE HUGHES

    I write, edit, photograph and muse about life.

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