When I was in high school, my mom signed me up to volunteer at our local hospital. As a painfully shy teenager, the thought of caring for strangers was equally dreadful and terrifying. She told me, in no uncertain terms, to suck it up, because it would be a valuable and memorable experience. It not only cracked open my shell but sparked my interest in healthcare and helping people.
She knew when it was time to let me go.
A few years ago, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. She accepted it even before the family fully had, and navigated her journey head-on from surgery to recovery the same way she does everything -- with conviction, fearlessness, and optimism.
She showed me that hope can be stronger than fear.
Late last summer, my husband and I unexpectedly lost our twins at 21 weeks. My mom was the one who was home with me when my daughter was born, who helped perform CPR on my baby, who rode with me to the hospital, who stayed nearby for the next 3 days before I gave birth to my son. She was also the one who was there after, to cook for me, to accompany me on walks, to take me out, to help me feel like myself again. And she was the person to urge me to talk about it, to cry with me, to share my grief, and to pull me out of my sorrow so that I could begin to heal.
That's when I realized that inspiration doesn't always shine through facing life's struggles. It's about kindness, and empathy, and unconditional love.
So Happy Mother's Day to one exceptional mother -- one who knows when to give me a nudge, who reminds me of my blessings, who embraces me when I need it.
No comments:
Post a Comment