The MIRACLES IN LIFE ARE IN THE JOURNEY
Growing up with nine siblings turned out to be a good beginning to my journey through life. I remember going to the hospital dressed up in my “Sunday best,” only to stand on the lawn of the hospital to wave at my mother and most importantly, to meet my new sister, four times over. Each one confirmed that I was part of the bigger picture. I had five older siblings to learn from before I entered different stages in life. It seems that the only thing this didn’t prepare me for was hand-me-downs from my brothers. Wearing brown and green stripped boys t-shirts taught me humility and the ability to find courage and pride no matter my circumstances. I strove to find that place in my family that defined my purpose among many. The road to adulthood was a path of responsibility littered with times of great joy, laughter and bonding.
As a teen, I found it awkward to fit in, balancing both responsibility and discovering who I was, again, among many. Little dabs of courage filtered into my being, yet self-acceptance didn’t seem to find its way. I found that being who I thought people wanted me to be kept the peace and provided me with a sense of acceptance. I became a vessel full of masks. The path I traveled was one of a country road, laden with rocks and pot holes. Yet I did survive myself.
Becoming an adult meant becoming a wife and mother. And so I turned onto that path of “life to the fullest.” Only to find seven years later that the path I chose was a dead-end. With two small children at my side, my search for reason, purpose and joy began. I finally found that by taking off all of the masks and whittling my life into a bare life-form, motherhood, joy and contentment seeped within me. Then upon discovering that I could love unconditionally and be loved the same my path took a turn onto blacktop. I married a man who was also raising two daughters, and we formed a family filled with much responsibility, littered with times of great joy, laughter and bonding.
Within this journey I also found the ability to survive grave illness and was graced with a precious peek at the peace and love of what eternal life could be like. I strive for that peace and love on the highways and interstates of my present life. Amazingly, I often find myself seeking discovery back on old country roads for the blessings that I have, past and present as I believe that the miracles in life are in the journey. Sadness allows me to define gladness, loss lets me appreciate what I have had and most importantly when I meet potholes along the way I remind myself that there is peace and love awaiting me in the purpose of my continued journey.
Susan (Susie) Marie Sumstine
