Your Extraordinary Life Makes a Difference

Your Extraordinary Life

Three things happened this week that spoke to me in a way that I knew I had to share some thoughts with you, dear reader.

The first thing that happened was I finished a book, not just any book, but one of those books that sticks in your mind and heart long after you read the last page. I had seen this book recommended before by my book reading friends but I wasn’t convinced I would like it.

I was wrong. I loved it.

The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell is the book I am referring to. It was published in 2018 by Robert Dugoni. One reason I didn’t think I would like it is because Dugoni is an author of mysteries (my favorite genre) and I wasn’t sure I would care for something by him that was so different. Sam is the main character in the book and I suppose you could say it’s a coming of age novel. It is, but it’s more than that. (More about the book later on in this post.)

The next experience this week was I ran across a quote that resonated with me.

“What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” Jane Goodall

I actually got to meet her via social media at a blogging event. She was inspiring and amazing. And yes, her life has definitely made a difference. We aren’t all Jane Goodall, but we all have the power to make a difference.

The Third Thing

Today I read a story written by a friend of mine, Tammy Clark Stephens. She wrote about all the different women who helped raise her when she was growing up. Her story began with these three lines, “All my mamas have dwindled away. Today, we lay to rest the last of them. The mamas that raised me to be the woman I am now are gone.”

I knew exactly what she meant. There were mamas who helped raise me, too. And like Tammy, most of mine are gone.

During my teen years I spent so much time at the Mosier sister’s house that I became an honorary Mosier. Versie, the mother of 4 talkative and outgoing daughters always made me (and anyone who walked through her door) feel right at home. She was loud and fun loving and made you feel happy and loved when you were in her presence.

When she died she was the last of our mamas. My mom died over 30 years ago but she and Versie had something in common with the other mothers of my friends, they all led an extraordinary life.

Back to the Book

In the book I mentioned before, “The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell” Sam’s mother kept telling him he was destined for an extraordinary life. Sam didn’t believe it. He faced one problem after another. He kept searching for answers and trying to find the reason his mother had told him those prophetic words.

And here is the point of this post; any life can be an extraordinary life. When my mother died at the age of 51 a dear friend of mine wrote and said, “Your mother was like a pebble thrown into a pond. There will be continuous ripples of her life for ever.”

Teachers Do Touch the Future but so do Others

My mother was a 6th grade reading teacher and so many of her students have written to me over the years and told me what a positive influence she was in their life, but you don’t have to be a teacher to make a difference.

My husband had Covid in 2020 and nearly died 3 different times. Nurses, respiratory therapists, doctors, physical therapists and speech therapists all had a part in saving his life. And there were many, many more folks who made a difference: our church family, our preacher, the thousands who prayed and sent cards. It was amazing.

What I’m Trying to Say

Don’t underestimate your importance. You may think your life doesn’t matter, that you aren’t important, but you are.

Every life lived to its fullest can be an extraordinary life. You are vital to the people who know and love you. Don’t ever forget that. It doesn’t matter if you are a gas station attendant or the janitor. You can make a difference.

Tell us about someone that changed your life. We love your comments!

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