If I have been of service, if I have glimpsed more of the nature and
essence of ultimate good, if I am inspired to reach wider horizons of
thought and action, if I am at peace with myself, it has been a
successful day.---Alex Noble
I am an incredibly blessed woman. Don't get me wrong, I have my struggles just like anyone else. I have sleepless nights fraught with worrying about one thing or another. I have moments during the day when I just shake my head. However, through it all, I have the love and support of a network of people that truly take my breath away and leave me wondering exactly what it was in me that finds me worthy of such individuals? I have a husband who not only supports what I do, but encourages me in every endeavor that I undertake. He sacrifices family time for me to serve other families. He sacrifices me cooking a meal for him so that I may serve a meal to those in need. He sacrifices vacations with me for me to travel with my title. He does all of this and far, far more without thought of self or complaint. Because of his love and support I am able to truly serve. I have a family, some with related DNA, some without, that are there for me at every turn! They have traveled far and wide to be by my side whenever I have needed them or just to support me. They go out on a limb to aid and encourage me to do all that I can. They selflessly take time from their own lives to quietly stand behind the scenes just in case I need them. Just in knowing that they are there I can reach heights heretofore unseen. I can go forward with absolute confidence just because they love me. I have a pageant family that truly humble me and make my jaw drop with awe at their care of and for me! These people are there for me every moment of every day with love, advice, words of encouragement, coaching, motivation, did I say love?, comfort, an arm about my shoulders and enough wind beneath my wings to make me soar higher than any woman has ever been able to soar.
In the past few weeks I have been blown away by some things that have been told to me. The leading quote for this blog pretty much says it all and my hopes and dreams are directly related to the prayer that I can positively impact even one life. In doing that I feel I have served my purpose and not wasted the gifts that God has bestowed upon me. I received a call out of the blue from a gentleman deeply steeped in the pageant world telling me that because of title holders such as myself he is proud to be a part of pageantry. I could not believe my ears and my heart swelled with, dare I say it, pride. Not the sin of pride but the knowledge that I am doing what it is that I've set out to do...I am helping. I am making a difference. Then, a different gentleman, one that I consider not only a friend but a HUGE part of my family, one who knows pageantry inside and out, told me much the same. He said things to me that of course made me smile from ear to ear but then made me drop to my knees in deep and abiding gratitude. I would call out the names of both of these incredible people, but they are not about recognition. They gave their words of love and support in the same way I have dedicated my life to serving...because they must. Because it is just a part of who we are.
Each day I wake I burn to make a difference. People ask me all the time how I have been able to make over 500 appearances as Mrs. Nevada International 2012 and Mrs. Southwest International 2013. Of course time management and a daily plan is an integral part of that but the prevailing reason is that it is who I am...all the way from the inside out. This is something I must do. I could no sooner stop than I could stop breathing and live. To reach the pinnacle of my world, the title of Mrs. International 2013, would be the culmination of a life spent in service. It would not only be a dream come true, but a life's mission completed. I would serve this title with even more than I have served those that came before it. If I have any regrets, and I do try to live my life without them, it is that I didn't find the International system until this point in my life. However, I am here now...and am here to stay!
I realize I am a bit all over the place in my writing today but my head and my heart are so very full!!! I am beyond grateful for my family, friends, support system and the ability to serve and make a difference. I am beside myself in finding out that I am indeed doing so.
Thank you ALL for all that you do, but most especially for your love. In conclusion I will end this in the same way it began: I am an incredibly blessed woman!!!
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