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struggle for what you believe in

Struggle For What You Believe In | #makeamemory

Struggle as hard as you can for whatever you believe in. ~ from fortune cookie

 

Today’s fortune is poignant because it wasn’t mine.

MTM texted this photo to me on the first day of my Natchez Trace walk. HIS fortune. HIS cookie.

He considered it a sign. A blessing, even. An exclamation point in my journey to claw my way toward what I believe. My husband would say his belief in me is unwavering, but few people know how he struggles as hard as he can for who he believes in. How mightily he fights for me.

MTM never works less than sixty hours a week. Every weekend, he’s answering messages and fielding phone calls. Most weeknights, he’s in meetings until late. He shoulders our household and makes it possible for me to write without any guarantee of my own paycheck.

Whenever I want to quit, he tells me why I should believe. Every time I see the dark side, he shines a light. Tough love? He’s sensitive as he gives me unvarnished critique. He puts up with my road trips. He listens to me describe inane character details. He holds me when I cry from both frustration and the pain of rejection.

If MTM didn’t believe in me, I would’ve quit long ago. Without him, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I believe in my dreams because he does. Because I can’t help it. Because I know my struggle will make them live.

Do you believe in fortune cookies, Dear Reader? Are you like me, hoarding an envelope of  fortunes you hope will someday come true?

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Photograph Credit: Andra Watkins

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23 Comments

  1. I don’t believe in fortune cookies – unless they say something I want to hear. I have one fortune that I have saved that is very meaningful to me… even without the phrase “in bed” tacked on to the ending!

  2. Used to have a fortune taped up next to my writing desk: “Cleverness is serviceable for all things, sufficient for nothing.” It’s the only fortune I’ve ever saved.

  3. Your title says stuggle instead of struggle, so I don’t know if that’s on purpose because you’re smarter and more clever than me and I could just be missing something or what. Lol. I don’t keep fortune cookies or put any stock in them, but my little brother once had a cookie that didn’t contain a fortune at all. What do you think that means? There was no paper at all! Without the fortune, it’s just a cookie, and a rather meh cookie at that. Okay, have a great day!

    1. Author

      Stuggle was a typo. I haven’t introduced her here, but I’m working with a new assistant (and don’t know how I ever got anything done without her.) It takes time to develop a shorthand. This one slipped by both of us, which is a far better rate than I used to have. Ha. Self-editing and self-proofreading are two of my banes.

      And please tell your brother I’ve had the same experience. I once got a fortune cookie with no fortune. I firmly believe my experience cancels whatever negative impacts his may have, and we’re both in for TONS of good luck!!

  4. Having a wonderfully supportive husband too, I know exactly what you mean and exactly how MUCH it means. Here’s to our men. 🙂

      1. We actually don’t do too much for Valentine’s Day. I think it’s kind of corny (which I’m sure he’s thrilled about–no pressure on him!). But sometimes we go out to eat, and he usually brings me some chocolate. 🙂

  5. I do believe in a few other people. Do I believe in myself? I don’t quite know how to answer that. Mostly though, I just go with the flow in my life.

  6. And your love story? I love it. It inspires me to believe.

  7. i love them and always hope for them to come true. i keep my favorites )

    1. Author

      For a while, our favorite local restaurant had snarky fortunes. They were really funny, though I didn’t want them to come true.

  8. You have a great one in MTM, Andra. Give him two thumbs up for me and ask him if he has an older brother by another mother living in Wisconsin…

    Seriously, though, I don’t hoard fortunes because I usually get the one that makes no sense. Instead, at this time in my life, I feel extremely fortunate to be surrounded by friends and family and felines and church community and many others who make life grand. I may not have an MTM, but I do have a wonderful group of people who I can always rely on for support.

    1. Author

      My first published piece of writing was a story like yours. The local newspaper ran a Valentine story I wrote for my own girlfriends before I met MTM. I completely understand.

  9. There aren’t that many people I can honestly say impress me with MTM’s level of unselfishness. His actions support his profession of love. It’s not that hard to do in short bursts, but he is committed long-term. A beautiful tribute to him, Andra.

  10. Of course the fortunes come true. Carry them with you always. When one comes true, burn it.

  11. I really needed to read this post today, Andra, especially since I’ve been so tempted to give up on my work in progress. Thank you for that reminder to keep going. (And please thank MTM. We’ll meet someday!)

  12. I feel like I was reading about Dave. He is the major reason I have not given up on my health struggles and the reason I am still kicking! MTM is a wonderful man and clearly loves you to pieces. We are blessed! xo

    1. Author

      He will love it when he sees you after so much time apart!! We must find a way to get together soon. I miss you.

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