Your Presence

Written By Ellen Marrs

I hear your voice, comforting, “Mom, are you okay?”

Don’t cry.

A gentle nudge, time to get off to school

Routines persist, assemblies, and somehow proms

Your basketball hoops are dormant

Yet, echoes of your dribbling and shots

In awe, I turn around and see you, jumping, touching the door frame

The question never fails, “Mom,” “What’s for dinner?”

Your car whispers in the driveway,

And your keys dangle in the door

Your favorite season apparent in color, the air crisp and cool

Images of the three of us decorating, just one more time

Time is slow, yet intense, and so fast

Pretending, managing, functioning? Survival mode.

Accomplished only by God and your guidance

I will take my own corny advice

Fall was yesterday, but now the heat remains dominant

Lights flicker on and off, energy becomes transcendent

With quiet determination, you make your presence known

Math problems I still can’t solve, forever hugging you with pride

Your reflection presents in your sister’s smile

My love for you both, there’s no end

Preston, a strong leader and friend, so many talents still unknown

Upholding your integrity, a sportsman, a gentleman, my world.

—Written and shared by Autumn Renee Curiel, Preston’s Mom

Ellen Marrs

Ellen is a successful entrepreneur, author, homeschooling mom of seven, and three-time Boston Marathon finisher. She is the author of “Lessons from the Finish Line”, her personal story of faith, passion, and perseverance in the pursuit to run 12 races in 12 consecutive months. She is also a compilation author in "Women Who Rock", a book highlighting the stories and successes of women from various backgrounds and stages of life.

The focus of Ellen's business and her personal goal in life is to make a positive impact on the world with those who choose to join her in “The Kindness Revolution”. She teaches individuals, businesses, and non-profit organizations the importance of expressing gratitude through relationship marketing, as well as her signature class, “Gratitude: The Missing Link”. In a span of just three years, the students in her classes impacted over 10,000 people with compassion, gratitude, and kindness.

Ellen was most recently featured by FOX 10 TV, the Boston Athletic Association, Boston University News Service, Voyage Phoenix, and Networking Times magazine, a global publication for the network marketing profession.

Ellen fuels her passion to help others and make a difference in the world by sharing her story with abuse victims, foster children, and potential foster parents. As a motivational speaker, trainer, and mentor, she inspires others to overcome difficult circumstances, pursue their dreams and achieve their goals with unbridled passion. She has mentored countless individuals, businesses, and non-profit organizations in relationship marketing and "acceleration through appreciation".

To relax, Ellen enjoys running, riding motorcycles, and spending as much time as possible outdoors with her family. She currently travels the United States with her husband, Rick, and their seven children.

To connect with Ellen, reach out via social media or the Life on Planet Marrs website.

https://lifeonplanetmarrs.com
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