Protecting my heart

There is that quote out there that says something like “having a child is like watching your heart walk around outside your body.”

And I’m sure that’s true.

But isn’t that true for everyone we truly love?

I think it’s because we can’t protect those we love. We see them walking around all day, and we just hold our breath – hoping that nothing bad ever happens to them. We want to divert any crisis, take on any illness for them. We want to protect our heart – and our heart is them.

I can’t really get into the specifics -VagueBlogging – it’s all the rage. It’s just that it’s not my story to tell. And it’s not a story for the interwebs. But just throw out your good juju and thoughts if you will.

A piece of my heart, that’s out there walking around outside my body, could really use it right now.

 

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You Are Not Our Second Choice

You were always part of our family plan.

And as life has probably already taught you, life takes our “plans” and laughs at them. We are thrown challenges, changes, and so many curve-balls. Our well thought out plans become nothing but memories.

Things that we believe to be true are not. Things that seem easy can become so very hard.

Life is like that.

So often it gives us what we need, instead of what we believe we need. Those two things aren’t always different, but they are sometimes.

For example, we didn’t know that you would come to us first.

But we always knew you would come to us. That someday, our paths would cross and all of our lives would be forever changed.

I don’t know why it’s so important for you to know this, whoever you are, wherever you are – but my heart needs your heart to understand that you are not our consolation prize. You are not a solution to our own infertility. You are not plan B.

You are not our second choice.

We just didn’t know that you would come to us now, at this time. We thought it would be later.

But it’s not. And isn’t that wonderful?

Life is bringing us all one step closer to each other as we speak.

And when we meet –  when your  footsteps are running down the stairs in the morning, when it is your laugh echoing through this house, when it is you playing with our dog, and when yours is the hand I hold on the way to the bus stop – please know that your presence in our life was planned from the very beginning.

We know that it won’t be an easy journey. That this will be a huge change, and challenge for all of us. However, rest assured, that our family is one worth fighting for. And things that challenge us are the things that make us stronger, better, more capable.

The best things in life are often the things that don’t come easy.

And now that we’re on this path to you?

We can’t wait.

But we will – and it will be totally worth it.

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A New Year Plunge

Some people jump into the ocean on New Year’s Day.

Some people run through the snow barefoot.

Us? We took a different kind of plunge this year.

This plunge? It’s a game changer.

 

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2012: That’s a wrap.

Goodbye 2012. Thanks for the laughs, the change, the challenges, the incredible adventures, the tears, the hugs, the truths, and as always – the love.

“What a year for a new year, and our star shines like a miracle, and our world is almost beautiful again….what a year for a new year.” -Dan Wilson

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Just in case you thought I was kidding about Norman Rockwell…

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, my friends.

Be kind to one another, and enjoy the true spirit of this season.

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We’re not sure how this goes.

I could write to you as someone who used to work in a school.

I could write to you as someone who is a mental health professional, and has worked with kids for years. Yes, even violent ones.

But I think it’s more important to write to you as a human being.

As someone who, too, cannot make sense of the senseless.

Events like these shake us to the very core of our humanity. They expose the vulnerability, that in reality, we have every day – but do our very best to hide. Our inability to control the future, to fully protect the ones we love, to understand that any moment could be the last. To truly be present in every moment – is hard, to say the least – because how does one find meaning in every day moments like taking out the trash or brushing our teeth? We don’t. And we move through our lives, much of the day on autopilot, until we are shaken.

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then it’s one foot then the other as you step out onto the road
how much weight? how much weight?
then it’s how long? and how far?
and how many times before it’s too late?

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Reminded. That there are no guarantees in this world. That the next moment is never promised to us. That the world – owes us nothing.

I don’t believe that we will find meaning in this tragedy. The fact that 26 people lost their lives on Friday will make no more sense if we begin attacking each other on political and spiritual fronts. The fact that 20 children will not open Christmas presents in 8 days will not resolve itself if we analyze the shooter’s mental health diagnosis. It doesn’t make sense. And all we can do is sit with that uncomfortable feeling. That vulnerability. The very thing that makes us all human.

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calling all angels
calling all angels
walk me through this one
don’t leave me alone
calling all angels
calling all angels
we’re cryin’ and we’re hurtin’
and we’re not sure why…

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The United States does not need to be further divided. The families of these children and teachers do not need to become the foundation of political platforms or religious debates. We need unity. We need to embrace each others as humans – no more safe or protected than any other human on this Earth. Not really.

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and every day you gaze upon the sunset
with such love and intensity
it’s almost…it’s almost as if
if you could only crack the code
then you’d finally understand what this all means…
but if you could…do you think you would
trade in all the pain and suffering?
ah, but then you’d miss
the beauty of the light upon this earth
and the sweetness of the leaving

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To the families, children, and to everyone reading this post I say Namaste -the light within me bows to the light within you. The light within us will drive out the darkness, if only we acknowledge it.

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calling all angels
calling all angels
walk me through this one
don’t leave me alone
callin’ all angels
callin’ all angels
we’re tryin’
we’re hopin’
we’re hurtin’
we’re lovin’
we’re cryin’
we’re callin’
’cause we’re not sure how this goes

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*Lyrics “Calling All Angels” by Jane Siberry

 

 

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Really cool things.

Really cool things are happening.

We close on our dream house on Wednesday. The movers are coming on Saturday. And my house is now boxes. Again. Still. Whatever.

I’ve gotten multiple info on my friends in Maine who are planning their LEGAL WEDDINGS! I mean seriously, I could cry. I have cried. Don’t judge. Thanks again Maine, for making equal marriage rights happen. For real. Now Supreme Court? Let’s jump on the bandwagon, mmmmkay?

Work is crazy (but I love my job), moving is crazy (but it’s a dream house, really), and blogging has gotten lost in the crazy and let’s face it, that probably isn’t going to change until January. So I know you’ll forgive me. You know, the five of you that are still reading (HI!!! by the way).

So go visit some other cool things happening, in my absence.

Molly has started up a Kickstarter campaign to produce a second edition of her Unemployment Cookbook ( I own the first, and it is awesome – especially if you’re cooking on a budget). Support a fellow blogger, small business. For real. It’s awesome.

Speaking of supporting an awesome fellow blogger, Kenya has produced her second book! It’s a copy of The Christopher Chronicles (the 2nd edition with MORE gems). I have met this kid, and he is the real deal funny, don’t even get me started on how he feels about 80’s music. And I promise you won’t regret buying this and supporting Kenya and Christopher.

If you need any jewelry for Christmas or holiday gifts, GO HANDMADE AND SMALL BUSINESS. Like here (I ordered a remembrance necklace from her, to remember our baby) or here, which I just ordered – a necklace! with lace from my wedding gown (the woman who kindly altered my gown for free gave me the scraps)! AHMAZING. And speaking of which, I wish there was a reason to wear my wedding gown more often.

Anyway, that’s all for now folks. I probably will be blogging next from our new home. With the fireplace going, Christmas lights twinkling, and Norman Rockwell throwing up all over the place.

Merry everything!!!!

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You are so much stronger than you think you are.

It happens.

You know the feeling.

When life gets overwhelming.

One day, you’ll be kicking life’s butt and taking names. Conquering the world with your can-do attitude while unicorns sing your praises and you sneeze glitter.

But then. Things happen.

Maybe here’s a crisis. Be it medical, life changing, or simply the times when the small everyday crises mold together in a mob mentality and form one big breakdown that is usually triggered by the stupidest thing ever.

And then you let go. And you cry The Ugly Cry. You feel the feeling of dread. You start hitting the snooze on the alarm until you make yourself run late, which always ruins the whole day. You can’t begin to know where to start on your to-do list so you start doing things that aren’t even on your to-do list (and then adding those things to the list just so you can cross them off).

If you’re like me, you’ll start snapping at people around you. Feeling emotional for “no reason.” Tersely replying, “I’m fine” when people inquire about why you’re acting this way.

So I’m here to remind you, and really I’m here to remind myself, you are so much stronger than you think you are.

And everything gets done. Really, it does. You’ve been here before. In the midst of this feeling. In the quicksand of not-enough-time, amid the jungle of too-much-to-do. And you’ve gotten through it before. And you will again.

Look in the mirror today, get out your pom-poms, and remind yourself – you! are! so! much! stronger! than! you! think! you! are!

And if all else fails, this always makes my day brighter….

 

 

Happy Monday, folks. Let’s go kick it right in the face!

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We’re Here

I promise, we’re here.

Taking pictures….

Taking naps…

Taking in sunrises….

Taking long walks….

Taking Nikon’s manual controls for another spin…

So have no fear, we’re here. My words have been stuck in my head this week, swirling. But soon they’ll be flowing again.

And until then…..

Warning: pure joy may be closer than it appears.

 

 

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Today and Everyday

Source: Uploaded by user via Tom on Pinterest

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