Judy Ferguson: mother of six girls; home school teacher; marathon runner; short order breakfast cook; manager of Francesca’s outlet store; sod farmer’s wife; soccer player; coffee drinker; comfort food cook; mud runner, devout Christian.

After a day at work, many working mom’s heat up leftovers or boil spaghetti. Judy got home after five and at 6:30 p.m. ten of us stood in a circle of hands in the kitchen while second youngest Jasilyn offered the evening prayer. Then we devoured two pans of fresh meatloaf, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and smore cupcakes for dessert.

Each daughter, age 5 to 21, has a different home school curriculum. The oldest has auditioned for ‘The Voice’ and is pursing a record contract. Others compete in volleyball, soccer and cross-country at home school competitions all over the country. The day I left they were off to Omaha for the weekend.

Judy sleeps four or six hours a night. “Never five, an odd numbers makes me cross all day.” She drinks coffee from morning ‘til night and insists it doesn’t affect her sleep. While awake, her energy never seems to flag.

Judy has an expansive view of love and life. She’s developed an increasing relationship with her birth father, whom she didn’t see for over twenty years. She recognizes aspects of herself in him and her half-sister, ten years junior. “He makes me feel whole.” Judy’s parents are not keen on this, but Judy wants it all. “It doesn’t detract from us in any way. The more love we have, the more people we love, the better for everyone, the better for the world.”

Judy wants to spread that love even after she dies. “People can be cremated into ink for tattoos or even diamonds. That’s what I want, to be turned into something precious so each of my girls can have a piece of me.”

How will we live tomorrow?

“One day at a time I try to make memories. I want to make new memories, to step out of my comfort zone. I ran a marathon for fun. Then I realized it was exciting and gave me a thrill. Each was different. I run the Oklahoma Memorial Marathon every year because I believe in the cause. But I know it too well now, it’s not new. I like running new marathons, in different places, in different weather.

“I want to give my girls memories. I don’t have many from my childhood. You only have one life; I want to pack it with memories.”