Sometimes life brings people in your life that change you forever. And if you're lucky, they change you for the better. I have been blessed with many who fit this description.Some have come as family; others as teachers. Many, many have come as friends walking along the same path as I. They help me find my footing on the path or remind me to simply put one foot in front of the other when I feel as though I can't walk another step. They inspire me to be the best person I can be.This is especially true of the fellow moms I have come to know. Being a parent is hard. Everyone knows that. Some days, though, it feels near impossible. That's when I need to hear from other moms; those who have survived their own tough times and come out the other side. I found these women around the corner and across the internet. All have miraculously come it seems when I needed them most.This is true of a tiny bundle of amazing name Elayna. She is called The Positive Mom and for a reason. If you read her magical story, you really will believe that almost any hurdle can be jumped. When I met her, I was overwhelmed by her joy and pure energy. She is always smiling and living up to her moniker. And if you haven't read her story, you you would be forgiven for thinking that she is positive and happy because she has had an easy life. That is not the case so again, I recommend reading her story.So as I sit in awe of this fabulous woman, she asked me my story. She asked why I blog. And for those of you who don't know, I shall share the Reader's Digest version. Those of you who do are free to skip ahead a paragraph or two.All my life, I knew what I wanted to be. I dreamed of the stage from the age I was able to toddle out to my driveway and put on performances for anyone who would watch. I studied theatre in undergrad and received a masters degree in acting. Along the way, I picked up a wonderful guy who was willing to travel the country with me to make my dreams come true. Those gypsy feet landed us in New York and as of September 10, 2001, I was pursuing acting in New York. We all know what happened the next day.My husband chose to join the National Guard two days later. Fast forward almost eight years. I was no longer acting. Instead, I was a military wife and a full-time mom. While I was surrounded by love and blessings, I was not happy. I was lost. I couldn't figure out how the life I had could look so different from the life I planned. I needed some outlet to  resolve this disconnect.  After a fated viewing of "Julie & Julia", I started blogging. Originally, it was a journal but then I discovered a community of strong women with similar struggles.  I no longer felt alone. Frankly, it changed my life.Now it is five years later and I'm still here. This blog has become a fixture of my life. I hope that I am doing more than simply receiving. I hope occasionally that I bring something to the table. Well, Elayna believes I do. She thinks I could even be Inspiring. And she's invited me to join the Inspiring Mom Bloggers. Well, who could say "no" to that? Not this girl!And man, am I in good company! I mean, seriously! Click on any and you'll see why I am so excited (included above are IRL friends Priscilla (Wheelchair Mommy) and Alice Chase . So what do I have to contribute? Good question. I asked the same thing. With a little coaxing from Elayna, however, I came to this. I believe in second, third, fourth chances. I don't think you get one chance to make dreams come true and then its lost. I believe in reinvention. I don't believe their is an age limit on following your dreams but I also believe that dreams can change. I haven't given up and I want to say to others out there that they don't have to, either.I am reminded of the lines from "The Greatest Love of All" performed by Whitney Houston

And if by chance that special place That you've been dreaming of Leads you to a lonely place Find your strength in love

Slightly corny? Yes, but there is a lot of truth in it. My special place was not what I thought it should be but when I turned to the love I had in my life, I realized how awesome my life really was. I don't know what the future holds for me. I don't know if success as an actress or a writer awaits me but my life is no failure. That's my message.I hope you will check out Inspiring Mom Bloggers.I am incredibly honored to be a part of such a fabulous group.And thanks again to Elayna for believing in me!