I’m a new reader to MamaKat and since I newly revamped my blog, I figured I ought to celebrate both events by jumping on in and participating in her Writers’ Workshop. I chose the prompt: describe what makes you want to live a life with passion.

I know better than most how short life is. I’ve lost a lot of friends and family, all too young and all too early. Those people inspire me to live my life with passion, especially S. They are people who have made profound impacts on me and when I meet them again some day (because I believe that I will), I want to be able to look them in the eye and say yes, I made the most of every opportunity I had. No, I don’t believe I’m responsible for living the lives that were cut short for them, but time is a gift that so far I’ve been given, and I believe gifts are meant to be used.

My mother inspires me to live my life with passion. Ever since I was small she told my siblings and me to “just be passionate about something!” She led by example. We never doubted her love of and commitment to being a mother, but she also pursued outside interests, whether that was starting a community book group or finishing her bachelor’s degree. She immigrated here from Brasil and now has 2—soon to be 3—Masters’ degrees and is partway through her PhD. She’s passionate about equality in education and really lives that passion. She’s proud that she’s turned out a son who is a passionate political blogger, a daughter who passionately campaigns for immigrant rights, and me, who am passionate about advocating for the rights of people with chronic illness.

Finally, my son inspires me. I was never “supposed” to be a mother, let alone give birth. Yet here I am, having just scooped Menininho up from his crib, kissed him good morning, and prepared him breakfast. I never pictured myself as a stay-at-home mother, but I am learning to be passionate about it, to find interests that I never knew I had, because I want to give my son my all.

Who inspires you? What are you passionate about?