Lenny Kravitz, Airplanes, & Losing My Mom…
Today marks the 6th anniversary of my mom’s passing.
This picture of her and I (age 6) is so relevant because many pivotal events in my life have occurred on airplanes. Learning of her passing was one of them.
Ironically I often end up flying into the same gate #7 in Dallas, Love Field, which is where I learned of her passing that day on my way to see her.
Airports and planes... the biggest moments in my life have involved them (professionally and personally) ... but that’s another story.
All of us know the day is coming but we tend to ignore it or fail to realize the impact until the moment we are faced with our parent’s mortality. No one is immune. Each of us will experience it.
You can imagine how hard losing a parent is, but nobody tells you exactly how hard it is OR how long it takes to get over it and what it can do to you... for me, it took over 3 years to fully recover.
The best parents encourage their kids to dream and believe and instill a belief that their child can achieve their dreams, even when you’re a grown ass man who was approaching 50. That’s what my mom did up until the time she passed.
My first and biggest fan, she introduced me to the arts, culture and encouraged my writing, talent and dreams long before and after I’d become an actual author and successful adult.
Though she only had a high school educated from West Texas... it’s her that I get my curiosity and eclectic personality from. (I also got a few of her demons) she was a giver... sometimes to a fault... for better or worse, I got that too. She drilled into my sister and I an incredible level of optimism, creativity and self confidence. She helped us to dream and to believe we could achieve those dreams... even if we were just kids from Lubbock, Texas... and achieve we did.
But over the years life, professional & personal choices took me away from those some of those dreams. There were moments over the years I lost my confidence in my ability and talent, or gave my power or focus away, but she never stopped believing, wanting me to shine, to be happy, to be loved, and to do what I was meant to. Up until the last week of her life she was there reminding, pushing, believing in me and reminding me of what is possible.
“Go back to writing, write more books, share your voice, you have so much talent; use it, people love you and your work, get out of your head, and get those god damned women out of your head, get out of your own way and just go do it!!!!!”
She was a saint with a foul mouth.... hmmm wonder where I get it from.
It took me a long time to get my courage back and believe. I had to go a long way and dig deep down to find it. Ultimately, it took a mother’s belief (though she’s long gone) and my perspective as a parent, pushing my own kids to live their dreams that helped me find it again. .
2020 has been a gut punch for everyone on a variety of levels. My take away and message to you today is THIS... Tell the people in your life... parents, kids, family, friends... anyone you love, feel for, who makes an impact on or is important to you and your life... tell them what’s in your heart, that you love, appreciate and what they mean to you. Do it! Do it today! And don’t hold back. LOVE HARD!!. Love unapologetically!
Lenny Kravitz wrote a song after his mom’s passing, “Thinking of you” It says it better than I could say myself. The chorus goes :
“Thinking of you, and all of the things you wanted me to be... and I’m trying now” @LennyKravitz
Judy Richardson... I’m trying now! Love you
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mfVXYuGUMs&feature=share
Bradley
Join the conversation in the COMMENTS below.
SHARE THIS on social or with someone you feel can use it.!
