it’s tomorrow… today.

story by | kathleen wrigley

Two years ago our youngest daughter, Harper—now a whopping 5-½ years old—was registered for pre-school [just two mornings a week]. To say this child was excited is the understatement of the 2011-12 school year. She “practiced” going to school and pranced around in her Hello Kitty backpack. Her outfit lay spread out on her bedroom floor, waiting to come to life. And for weeks before her first day of pre-school she would ask, “Momma, is it my day today?” Every. Single. Morning. “Not yet, honey. Only 16 more sleeps…three more sleeps…two more sleeps.” The countdown was on. The day before her big day she climbed in our bed, leveled her nose to mine and asked, “Momma, is it my day today?” I snuggled her tightly, holding on to today while she fantasized about tomorrow, “Not today, honey. Tomorrow. Tomorrow is your day. Just one more sleep.” The next morning—or sometime well before sunrise—Harper tiptoed to my side of the bed, ran her finger down the bridge of my nose, tapped gently, and whispered, “Momma, is it tomorrow TODAY?”

Yes, honey, it IS tomorrow TODAY!

They say opposites attract. My husband, Drew, thinks I over-share. He is private. And methodical. And decisive. I am open. And impulsive. And impressionable. In our early, courting days, these differences caused collisions. But, through the bumps of life we have settled into our characters, learned from them and accept them. No matter how we get there, our tomorrow goals and our life purpose are consistent—not always packaged in the way we expect—and there are personal bucket lists, too.

Because I’m an over-sharer, I will confide in you. I had a dream that I always put off…until tomorrow. So lofty, I thought, that I tucked it away.

I have always dreamed of writing. My thoughts, others' stories, real or imagined. I like to write, to create full sentences and pour feelings onto a blank screen. It’s therapeutic and cathartic. This dream was a private one, until five years ago when I asked this magazine’s co-founders, Dani and Sheri, if I could write just one article for “On The Minds Of Moms.” I was facing a health hiccup and wanted to pen something for my children, a keepsake...for their tomorrows.

Dani and Sheri had been gently nudging me to write a regularly occurring column for the magazine. I turned down their offers with excuses: full schedules, other projects, the demands of small children, and a busy husband. Truth be told, I was scared. I lacked confidence in myself and thought, “Who do they think I am? I’m not a writer.” Each time it came up, I’d thank them, and politely decline—but privately wondered if they’d ask again. So when the idea of writing something for my kids—before heading in for surgery—to tell them how much they taught me about life and how unique and precious each one of them was, I approached Dani and Sheri with my request to write just one piece. Just for my kids. Just in case.

That was five years ago.

My dream to write became real. Fear…and the reality that my tomorrow is today, made me do it. My chance came packaged in worry that I might not get another one. How ever your opportunity comes, go for it. Try it. I have a saying that hangs in my home office. It reads: “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”

My mom is a hip 64-years-young woman. She’s always wanted to play the bagpipes. Three years ago, a handful of people—my parents among them—hired an instructor and started taking lessons. It’s a lot harder than it looks. Practices took time and patience. The novelty of wearing a kilt and blowing into an instrument that sounded more like a big, sick, loud, duck wore thin for everyone…everyone but my mom. She worked hard and when she grew frustrated with her progress, she practiced longer and studied more music. She plays the pipes at family gatherings, on holidays, and for our enjoyment—just for fun.

Then to her surprise, she received a phone call from the manager of the Philadelphia Police and Fire Bagpipe Band. She was stunned when he invited her to practice with the band. She hung up, called me, and asked “Are you ready for this?...” She was over-the-moon—with equal amounts of disbelief and excitement. She was nervous, too. “What if I make a fool of myself?” she kept on. Still. She went. She swallowed her nerves and fear, picked up her pipes and blew her heart out. That practice must have been a try-out, because the band’s Board has since invited her to be a part of the group. She is the ONLY woman. That’s worth repeating: she is the ONLY woman. Her dream of tomorrow became real…today. I wish I could attach a sound-segment to my column so you could hear her belt out, “Oh Danny Boy,” or “Amazing Grace.” It’s fantastic. My pride is manufactured in goose bumps and tears. She tells me I’m her “Biggest fan.” I am. But—lucky for me—so are her grandchildren, Quinn [13], Patrick [11] and Harper [5], who are watching and cheering. And learning.

What have you always wanted to do…tomorrow?

Oftentimes, we shush ourselves by saying: “Oh, that ship has sailed...” or, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks...” That’s phooey.

Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow is a clean slate of chances. Oh yes, it’s tomorrow TODAY. Go with vigor in 2014.

Kathleen is a stay-at-home mom who serves on a number of community boards/committees, is active in church, kids’ school, and politics, and runs to sustain her own mental health! This Philadelphia native is married to a fourth-generation North Dakotan, Drew, and proudly considers North Dakota her home. They have three children. Before becoming a mom, she was director for Bismarck’s Child Advocacy Center and was a speech writer. Kathleen received a BS from The Pennsylvania State

HERE’S THE Proof!

After having 3 amazing children that keep me constantly busy, I had given up on how my body would look. I didn’t even recognize the person I saw in the mirror. I tried DVDs and exercise on my own, but I would never stick with it and in no time, I would fall back into my old bad habits. I did some research and decided to try a XaBeat class in January 2012. I was instantly hooked! Between the inspirators, the music, the warm welcome, and the awesome workout, I knew I had found the right place. After 10 months, I lost 62 pounds! I am more toned and in better shape than I’ve ever been. I think back to those early days of my rst classes. I literally hid behind the person in front of me. I think I would have laughed hysterically if someone told me that less than a year after starting that I would become an inspirator. I have met the most wonderful women in the XaBeat classes and I can only hope to inspire just one of them the way I have been inspired!

–Lori, FARGO MOM, WIFE, & INSPIRATOR