In the months before my mom died she fell in love with a poem.
This poem was purported to be on the wall of Mother Teresa’s home for children in Calcutta, and it was called “Do It Anyway.”
She asked if I would find a way to paint it up on her bedroom wall, and I told her that I would. I thought it sounded nice and totally planned on it, but of course life was busy…and I didn’t get to it. This was one of the many things that haunted me after her death.
Why hadn’t I found the time?
I brought this up in therapy and my therapist had a suggestion.
“What if you can still create something out of this poem?” she asked me. “What if you ‘do it anyway’ as the poem suggests?”
I didn’t know exactly what she meant but I knew it sounded better than just beating myself up.
In the years since, I’ve done many things with this poem and returned to it countless times. Perhaps, whether it ended up on her wall or not, part of her purpose in this request was to simply ensure I never forgot this message.
And now I am moved to share it with you.
However you’ve been feeling about the difficult state of the world or perhaps the circumstances you might be facing personally, I hope this reminds you to keep going, and…
…do it anyway.
If you were moved by this message, consider putting it somewhere that you see often.
I’m sure my mom would support this idea.
Always in your corner as you “do things anyway,”
Melissa
PS: Another thing born from the loss of my mother is “The Questions You’ll Wish You Asked” series of family journals. Consider writing down answers for your kids or asking the questions of your parents or elderly family members. Find them here.
If you know a motherless mother, I made some journals for her.
PPS: Read any good books recently? Do you want a book journal where you can write about them? The Book Lover’s Companion is live and there are now versions for teens and kids out too. Check them out here.
