And unto dust you shall return

   Lent. It's here. Regardless of whatever your ashes look like today usually a smudge, last year a Harry Potter scar they all have one thing in common. They symbolize the 40 days to come and our preparation as Catholics for Easter. If you're not Catholic, you probably don't understand the gravity of today and what's to come, Easter. It's emotional. I know in our family, you think long and hard about what you can give up. It's suppose to be a challenge, if your Lenten promise scares you your priest would be proud. Don't pick something easy. I'm giving up fast food Sonic Zaxbys Chipotle Firehouse Taco Bell. After going over budget books with the dad the other week, that money would be better spent not being spent. Last year I gave up alcohol. Nothing crazy but a challenge.  My mom has always been my role model in life but over the past couple years this has expanded into other roles in life, especially Lent. It takes courage to give up something big, keeping the faith that it will be worth it in the end. Junior year of college she gave me up. The way my life was going she didn't agree with and couldn't be a part of anymore. We only talked on Sundays your cheat day and even then it was brief. I hated her that Lent. Thought she was being dramatic, stupid, crazy. I get it now. So this Lent look at your life and think of what you can gain by giving something up.