Happy Mother's Day

Today is Mother's Day!  It's a day marked specifically to honor Mom's everywhere.  To some, this means sadness and heartache as they see that stroller passing by and they ache to hold their own child in their arms but they were unable to conceive.  To some, they have lost a child and discredit their role as a mother, no matter how many times they are told that they are still a mother.  Still others, may have lost their mother and this day pronounces their loss.  Then there are those who still have their mother's to call or send flowers to ... and children to hug and love on.

I remember the sadness I felt as I so desperately wanted to have a child.  For seven years I begged my husband to have a child.  He finally demanded that I don't put him in the position of having to tell me "no" again.  It got to the point where his family told me to 'trick' him because once the baby was here he wouldn't mind.  Well, there was no way I was going to do that.  He trusted me and (I thought) our marriage was built on mutual trust.  Eventually he said we could try to have a child.  

When I took that first pregnancy test that showed I was finally pregnant I suddenly had a flood of emotions ... I was so excited ... and so scared...then so excited, again!  We happily told our families and I lay in bed dreaming of the child I would soon hold  ...  then I lost her.   One moment I was pregnant and dreaming ... the next moment I was living a nightmare. 

 I got pregnant again pretty quickly.  It was a little harder to dream this time.  I remember it clearly ... we were at church (it is now New Day, where we worship once again) and I finally had that thought of "I am finally feeling great" ... no more morning sickness ... it was a great feeling.  At that very moment I began hemorrhaging.  Someone found my husband, Sharon Marlowe gathered around us and prayed and we went home where I called the doctor.  A very short time later we realized that we needed to head to the hospital.  My sister in law had come to the house and with the sight she saw, she was convinced we had lost this baby, too.  All the way to the hospital I said, "If we lose this baby I never want to get pregnant again!"  Thankfully, all was well and Meghan Daniele was born five months later.  Seventeen months later, her brother, Ethan Craig, arrived.  You already heard the story of their little sister's birth ... 21 months later when Katelyn's Rose was born.  I am a MOM!!!!  These three fulfilled that dream that I had for such a long time.  I am so thankful!

 My mom is spending another Mother's Day with Jesus.  Seriously, what better place to be.  That knowledge, however, doesn't make me miss her any less.  She was such a remarkable mother and I am honored to be her daughter.  Her legacy lives on.  It makes me sad that my kids have missed out on so much with her and she won't have the privilege of watching them grow but I know she's here.  I prayed with her before she passed away and I asked God to allow her little glimpses.  This morning I already asked Jesus to give her an extra big hug from me.

I have friends in the other situations I mentioned above.  I pray that they will experience peace and comfort.  For those unable to conceive or birth a child, hold onto your dreams.  He knows the desires of your heart and sometimes He seems slow to answer but He's never early ... never late.  To the friend who lost a child, I know it is heartbreaking but please know that you are every bit a mother as those who still have their children with them.  Please accept this extra special hug.  To all mothers, present and future, HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!  <3

Because You Loved Me

One Heartbeat at a Time

Until next time ... Count your blessings and keep on dreaming