Dear Friends,
What a year it has been. I’ve been fairly quiet on my blog, as there has been so much to process this last year.
Now, here we are…another Mother’s Day. The second one without our daughter, Mary-Linda and the first with our baby boy…who will be birthed in the next couple of weeks.
I love to share the realities in our lives. But, some things over the last year, I’m just not able to share. I will say that we have endured a lot of unexpected change. And, I found myself with more time for high risk doctors’ appointments, kids’ activities, building relationships, rest for me and baby and more time to volunteer. These were unexpected circumstances that I have looked at as blessings. But, I also found myself questioning who my friends and chosen family were. Things I thought I knew, left me spinning.
Two months ago, when I was 7 months pregnant, my dear daddy passed away, after a week in hospice care in the medical center of Houston. I spent every spare moment with him and my mom and I am very grateful God gave me the time to be able to do that. I quickly learned who my friends and chosen family are. We had a village of friends who stepped in, brought meals, prayed with us, picked up kids, kept kids, took kids to activities and even brought food to the hospital. So many loved ones came to my dad’s service and continued to bring gifts, food and flowers. These acts of kindness are beautiful ways to express our sorrow when our loved ones experience great loss. And, the loss of our dad (and Grandfather) is great.
This Mother’s Day wasn’t exactly what I would have planned out for myself, if you were asking me a year ago. But, you know what?! I’m most thankful that I have four beautiful, living children and a fifth living child who is moving and kicking constantly and nearly ready for his debut. I couldn’t be more in love with this little guy. The reality report: my older children are far from perfect. I started this day crying because 1. I’m hormonal and 2. my kids were not being kind to each other and they didn’t stop and think how their fighting was impacting their pregnant momma. (Don’t worry. I let them know and things did get better)
So, as I share these beautiful photos that my sweet little cousin took of us in between Houston rainstorms this week, I want you to know that we are not picture perfect. We are real. This momma-life is hard. Life is hard. But, we won’t give up and we won’t give in. I’m very thankful that the Lord gives us strength to get through the hard things and we come out the other side. I feel very close to the other side.
Happy Mother’s Day, friends. I hope you had a peaceful day and were shown the love you deserve.
love,
El Momma
