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Life is a Highway

May 21, 2016 By Talya Tate Boerner

Life is a Highway
It’s true. Life is a highway, and a portion of mine has been spent on Interstate 35 from Dallas to Austin. Dallas holds the most memories, some so fresh I can remember particular smells or what I thought at the time. Some memories hit me unexpectedly, carrying me back twenty years or more.

Waco is midway between Dallas and Austin. We speed past the exit but I marvel at the obvious changes since I was a young college student. The interstate is lined with restaurants, Baylor’s impressive new stadium, construction everywhere, but still my eyes seek out those parts that were mine. The Brazos River. My dorm, Alexander Hall. Pat Neff, glowing green after a game day win.

I left little pieces of myself there, but we have no time to stop and visit. Not this time. Our daughter graduates from University of Texas Law School this afternoon. Her whole life has pointed to this moment. As a kid she was focused, centered, wise beyond her years. Austin is her place filled with her memories.

What’s next?

We never know. Lots of life, hopefully, and maybe someday I’ll be driving this highway again headed to my granddaughter’s graduation. And my daughter will feel as proud as I do right now.

Kelsey & her friends

Kelsey (right) and her law school friends.

Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

[tweetthis]Life is a highway. Let’s do this #graduation thing! #UT16[/tweetthis]

Musical Pairing:
Rascal Flatts, Life is a Highway

 

Finding your Why: a little graduation advice…

May 13, 2016 By Talya Tate Boerner

finding your why

When my son graduated from the University of Arkansas last May, the commencement address was given by Donnie Smith, CEO of Tyson Foods. His inspirational, “go get ’em” message challenged the graduates to do great things and change the world. He quoted Mark Twain. The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.

Heck, quote Mark Twain to me and I’ll be inspired all day long.

Finding your why. Those three little words are weighty.

For many years, I felt my “why” was to be the best parent I could be to my two children. And at the same time, while I was raising my kids, I worked in banking. I started at the bottom and slowly worked my way up to senior vice president in the commercial lending department. Was it my “why”? I didn’t know what that meant. It was my job, and for the most part I enjoyed it and paid my bills and saved some money and if we’re being honest, which we are, I loved the wardrobe that went along with such a career, too.

There seems to be an idea in this country that one should only do what feels 100% fulfilling. If a job isn’t your fantasy job, don’t do it. Don’t waste a single moment doing something you don’t absolutely love.

This mentality makes me want to poke myself in the eye. Grunt work is part of the deal. Sometimes grunt work means working for someone else. A corporation that makes profits. Oooooohhhhh noooooooo.Continue Reading

My view from today.

July 24, 2015 By Talya Tate Boerner

my view from here is like the top of the Ferris wheel.Today is significant. If I were to draw a line in the sand to separate yesterday from tomorrow, today would be that line. The end of a part of my life. The beginning of something new. My view from today is much like the view from the top of a Ferris wheel.

Today, our youngest is moving to Denver to start his new job. His career. The rest of his life. Today truly feels like the first empty nest day. The college years merely provided practice and time to become accustomed to cooking less for supper.

Now things get real.Continue Reading

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Hi! I'm Talya Tate Boerner. Writer, Reader, Arkansas Master Naturalist / Master Gardener, Author of

THE ACCIDENTAL SALVATION OF GRACIE LEE (2016)

GENE, EVERYWHERE: a life-changing visit from my father-in-law (2020)

BERNICE RUNS AWAY (2022)

THE THIRD ACT OF THEO GRUENE (coming 2025)

Recent Ramblings:

  • Sunday Letter: May 25, 2025
  • Sunday Letter: May 4, 2025
  • Sunday Letter: Rainy Day Edition
  • Spiderwort: my love-hate relationship
  • Sunday Letter: March 23, 2025

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