I remember when I was about 8 years old and my mom bought me a red Barbie Ferrari. Baby… that Ferrari caused problems.
My cousin used to come over and we’d play Barbies, and suddenly every Barbie wanted to ride in that red Ferrari. The Volkswagen Beetle? Completely canceled. No interest.
But for me, it was deeper than playtime. I imagined myself growing up and driving that same red convertible Ferrari. I could feel the wind blowing through my hair, the air hitting my face… that sense of freedom, of confidence, of being that girl. That was the moment I fell in love with Ferraris and knew one day I’d have one.
But sometimes… life takes you in a totally different direction.
Because who would’ve thought years later, I’d become the Minivan Mamacita?
In middle school, I was locked in on my dreams. I just knew I was going to USC, getting my doctoral degree, and becoming a surgeon. I was obsessed with the human body. I watched those surgery shows where they showed EVERYTHING, blood, bones, organs… and I loved it.
Nothing, and I mean nothing, could move me off that path. (Or at least that’s what I thought.)
But life had other voices.
Some were negative.
Some were positive.
I had a cousin telling me I’d get pregnant before I even graduated high school.
People telling me I’d end up just like my dad.
Then I had teachers pouring into me…
Mr. Fredd telling me I could be a mathematician.
Ms. Ramsey telling me I could be the next Maya Angelou with my poetry.
Ms. Rideau, who believed in me no matter what path I chose.
Mrs. Rust, who always reminded me I had a gift for writing.
So many voices. So many directions.
And the truth is… some of those words did manifest in different chapters of my life.
But as I got older, that red Ferrari I was so sure about?
That dream of USC?
That surgeon life?
They slowly became memories… like something I once believed in but didn’t quite reach.
You ever heard “Back in the Day” by Ahmad?
🎶 “Back in the days when I was young, I’m not a kid anymore… but some days I sit and wish I was a kid again…”
Listen… when your parents tell you to “stay in a child’s place,” they might be onto something.
Because now? Whew. Some days I really be like
“Mama, can I come back home? I didn’t mean it… I was just playing!”
Life moves FAST.
One minute I’m dreaming about a red Ferrari…
Next minute I’ve got 5 kids and I’m riding around in a minivan like it’s luxury.
One minute I’m planning USC…
Next minute I’m choosing community college because I wasn’t ready to leave my mom.
One minute I’m ready to cut people open in surgery…
Next minute my stomach said, “Girl, absolutely not.”
So let me talk to you for real.
Life doesn’t always go how you planned it.
I’m 35 now, and yes, I’ve had moments where I look back and think, “I should be further.”
Moments where I wish I could undo certain decisions.
But here’s the truth:
You can’t go back.
You can’t rewrite the past.
You can’t “stay in a child’s place” once life has already moved you forward.
What you can do… is decide who you’re going to be TODAY.
Make the choice to grow.
Make the choice to try again.
Make the choice to chase what’s still calling you.
And if you’re going to chase it…
catch it.
Don’t let your dreams keep running from you.
Age doesn’t disqualify you, quitting does.
I’m still going after things I feel like I should’ve pursued in my early twenties.
But guess what? I’m still here. My heart is still beating.
So that means…
it’s still possible.
Ignore the negative voices.
Ignore the environment that tries to limit you.
Ignore the people who don’t see your vision.
Be the change.
Now listen… I may not be driving that red Ferrari (YET),
But I am driving something powerful.
I’m driving my family forward.
I’m driving purpose.
I’m driving growth.
It might be a big vehicle right now… a minivan and all
But if I stay on this road and reach my destination?
Baby… it’s going to feel like the cleanest, most beautiful red convertible Ferrari I’ve ever seen.
So, I’ll leave you with this…
What are you driving?
Crowned in Purpose 
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