Shortly after my daughter was born I was invited to an oil painting party. Not really being one for oil paintings I went to it reluctantly. As the consultant began to pull the paintings out and talk with us about them I was feeling confident in my original thoughts that oil paintings were not for me...then it happened...she pulled this one out. I sat there and stared at it for a very long time with tears in my eyes. This painting has now been hanging on my wall for the past 22 years.
In the wee hours of the night during those "dreaded" feedings I experienced some of the most tender moments. In those moments as she looked and me and I at her I felt so much love pour over me. I held in my arms one of the most precious gifts God could ever have given to me. I thought about who she would become, how I would raise her, my dreams for her, and of course my fears would creep in and out too. Watching her grow and being her mom has been one of my greatest joys.
When she was three, I was diagnosed with cancer. I didn't know what that was going to mean for us. I didn't know if I was going to see her grow up, I didn't know if I would see her go to kindergarten let alone if I would see her get married.
Fast forward to December 2016...I was sitting in my favorite chair when my daughter's boyfriend stopped by. He asked me if I was available on December 26th. He must have noticed the confused look on my face because he offered up that "it was going to be the day". To say that I was excited would be a complete understatement.
Her boyfriend had planned an entire day for her. It involved going to lunch, for a massage, and to the Brookfield Zoo for zoo lights. His mom gave her a spa day for Christmas and she was the one with the great responsibility of getting my daughter to the zoo on time. Of course the best laid plans often have a little bumps in the road and my daughter didn't make it easy for her future mother-in-law, but everything worked out perfectly and in front of his family and her family he asked her to be his bride.
As I stood there witnessing this incredible moment of love I couldn't help but notice just how much love was in that room. Two families joining together to celebrate the love of two amazing young adults. As those moments were playing out in my mind I thought of that perfect little baby girl that I held in my arms oh so many years ago. I thought of the dreams I had for her. I thought about how I wasn't sure that I would ever see this day. I thought about how good God has been to me. There is not a day that goes by that I don't praise Him for giving me a second chance at life.
When you are experiencing a moment of darkness or a moment of fear remember that with God all things are possible.
In the wee hours of the night during those "dreaded" feedings I experienced some of the most tender moments. In those moments as she looked and me and I at her I felt so much love pour over me. I held in my arms one of the most precious gifts God could ever have given to me. I thought about who she would become, how I would raise her, my dreams for her, and of course my fears would creep in and out too. Watching her grow and being her mom has been one of my greatest joys.
When she was three, I was diagnosed with cancer. I didn't know what that was going to mean for us. I didn't know if I was going to see her grow up, I didn't know if I would see her go to kindergarten let alone if I would see her get married.
Fast forward to December 2016...I was sitting in my favorite chair when my daughter's boyfriend stopped by. He asked me if I was available on December 26th. He must have noticed the confused look on my face because he offered up that "it was going to be the day". To say that I was excited would be a complete understatement.
Her boyfriend had planned an entire day for her. It involved going to lunch, for a massage, and to the Brookfield Zoo for zoo lights. His mom gave her a spa day for Christmas and she was the one with the great responsibility of getting my daughter to the zoo on time. Of course the best laid plans often have a little bumps in the road and my daughter didn't make it easy for her future mother-in-law, but everything worked out perfectly and in front of his family and her family he asked her to be his bride.
As I stood there witnessing this incredible moment of love I couldn't help but notice just how much love was in that room. Two families joining together to celebrate the love of two amazing young adults. As those moments were playing out in my mind I thought of that perfect little baby girl that I held in my arms oh so many years ago. I thought of the dreams I had for her. I thought about how I wasn't sure that I would ever see this day. I thought about how good God has been to me. There is not a day that goes by that I don't praise Him for giving me a second chance at life.
When you are experiencing a moment of darkness or a moment of fear remember that with God all things are possible.