Millionaire Mom’s “Best Day Ever”

I don’t know about you but my life is lived in the fast lane. For me a day is a minute, a week is a day, a month is a week and a year is a month, a decade a year. I used to not worry about the speed of time. That is, until this past January 9 when my older brother, Joe (just 41) died in my arms.

Although my parents were nearby, I was alone with him and held his hand in mine with tears, prayers and a final message of love as he passed. It was a powerful moment. As you can imagine an experience like this changes you. Sometimes I think he chose me to be there so that, in my small way, I could help you see that we need to rejoice in both growing our businesses and in raising our families. 

I took the day off yesterday and visited two very dear friends who are ailing. As I drove home, my mind was in a whirlwind of “to do’s”.  My husband took two of the boys to a baseball practice. My eight-year-old didn’t want to go. I asked him if he wanted to go for a bike ride instead? He did. I was sooo tempted to say “Alright, let mom send out some emails and then we will go.” I resisted the urge even though I found it very hard.

I purposely left my phone and watch at home and we rode to the park, waded into the river and feed the geese. Afterwards, we decided to try a trail we had never been on. It was so unexpectedly beautiful. I like to garden and know a lot of plant names which I pointed out to my son along the way.

It reminded me of the time my Dad was teaching me what he knew of plants. I asked the name of one and he said “volunteer”. Again, I ask about a different plant and he said “volunteer”. Finally, I asked how can all of these different plants have the same name? He said that’s what you call a plant that sprouts up that you didn’t plant. I guess it was a nicer word than “weed”. But I digress…

 Six miles later we arrived home and decided to have a picnic in our backyard. It was me, Alex and our dog, Sabrina. As we sat and ate by candlelight we watched a graceful egret in the water. Geese flew by in their “V” formation. The frogs and crickets serenaded us. My son lost his tooth while eating carrots.

Afterwards, we hopped into the hammock and watched the moon pop up through the limbs of an enormous beech tree. Alex smiled at me and said “You’re the best mom ever and this is the best day ever.” It was one of those moments where—if life ended like it did for my brother—I would want everyone to know I died happy.

Life is short. Embrace it. Don’t be afraid to try new things. Failure is just a self-imposed limit. You never know when your story is going to end. Why not live with zest? I believe in giving 100% of myself to my work. But nights like tonight remind me to just stop and be in the moment. Enjoy your children while you are blessed to have them.