My First Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day was a few weeks ago.  And for me, it was my very first Mother’s Day. It should’ve been my eighth, but it was my first.

You see, back in 2013, I would’ve celebrated my first mom-to-be Mother’s Day, but that dream was very short-lived.  In March, we had reason to celebrate that it would be a great year. But by April, we were wiping away our own tears and not in a celebratory mood. Our baby at the time didn’t survive past seven weeks.  Mother’s Day that year was just a mix of sadness, tears and broken hearts.

The next several years were mixed with waiting and trying and waiting and trying and waiting.  Lots and lots of waiting and lots and lots of praying.

Then in early 2020, before the world shutdown, we found out we were pregnant! You’d think it would be hard to be pregnant in such an environment as 2020, but it really wasn’t. I got to be at home most of my pregnancy, resting and relaxing and getting ready for our sweet boy’s arrival.  I know 2020 holds a lot of bad memories for people. But for us, 2020 was the year our dream came true; the year our prayers were answered; the year we brought home our son.

For Mother’s Day, my husband made sure it was extra special since it was the first one we got to celebrate.  He sent me flowers and showered me with sentimental gifts, all of which I love and wear proudly. But for me, the best part about Mother’s Day was introducing my son to his great-grandmother for the first time, face-to-face. You see, my grandmother has been in a nursing home for the past few years.  And with 2020, I had to tell her about my pregnancy through a glass door; we didn’t get to celebrate at all.  So, seeing her this weekend in person for the first time in over a year and introducing her to her newest great grandbaby was the highlight of my whole day! It was a beautiful day, and I will hold all the memories close to my heart for many years to come. For the women still waiting for your little miracle, keep praying and believing! I know the words fall short, because they always did for me on this day every year but do it anyway. My heart breaks with yours because I’ve been there. But I believe that one day soon, you’ll see your prayers answered, too!

My 1st Mother’s Day with my son, James
My grandmother meeting my son for the first time, face-to-face

Hello 42

As I sit here and enjoy the last few hours of this age, I think back to how this past year of my life went.  First, I try to remember what happened, as with getting older, my memory isn’t as spry as it once was. 🙂  But with anything, I look back and think of all the things I didn’t do or didn’t accomplish that I thought I would.  But as I do that, I realize that I don’t want to focus on the past, I want to look forward to what’s next.  I can’t fix anything I did wrong; I can’t change anything about the past…the past is the past.  It’s there to look at; to try and do things better this year, but that’s it…the past.  Over. Done with. Unchangeable. Just leave it behind and press onward.

In just a few hours, I’ll be 42 years old.  And as I’ve thought about that today, I find myself pretty excited about it.  I’ve always loved celebrating my birthday, but I’ve never really looked forward to any age…much less when I turned 40.  It’s a cliché, but really, it’s just a number.  It doesn’t define my personality. It doesn’t change who I am as a person.  It doesn’t make me any less of someone because I’m older than I was yesterday.  It’s simply just two numbers put together to become one.  But back to my anticipation of this new year…

Even though it’s technically the middle of the calendar year, I feel like I’m getting a “re-do” for this year…a fresh start.  I’m not really sure why I’m so excited for this coming year, but I just have a peace about it.  I’m excited for the new adventures that are coming.  I’m looking forward to a new season in life. I’m just feeling like it’s going to be a great year…my 42nd year of life.  God has allowed me to be here for this long so I feel He has great plans for this next year.

So I say, “Goodbye 41…it’s been great, it’s been fun and there’s memories I’ll have with me forever.  Thanks for a great year!”  And then I say…

Hello 42..let’s go…I’m ready! 🙂