Thursday, July 24, 2008

another reason to count your blessings

Patria reminded me that aside from recording my life events and wasting a lot of time, this blogging business has it's up side. She turned me onto a daily scoop, another reason to count my blessings every day. Stephanie, the author of this blog, had her baby girl drown last month and has had her blog turn from sharing fun family events to one of sharing this deep experience for her. Like Patria, the social worker buried inside of me appreciates the education she's giving, but the mother in me wants to sit and cry with her, on so many levels.

It's a similar experience to reading leslie's blog, who, as a young mother, lost her husband unexpectedly last year. I understand that there are many out there that feel sharing such intimate thoughts on the blogosphere is inappropriate, but seeing as I'm often an "over-sharer," I really appreciate a peek into their world and the opportunity it presents to reevaluate the things I'm spending my time on. And worrying about. It helps bring the fragile reality of our existence a little closer and take the time to appreciate the blessing it is that I have the people I love all around me. I'm sure tragedy will hit me one day, but I hope that as I read these women's amazing stories and they way they have handled their situations that I am learning. I wonder how much I would share and if I would handle such a loss with the grace and peace that Stephanie shows. I hope so.

I have been reminded directly through minor bumps in my road that these little things are preparing me for greater challenges to come. I have chosen to prepare for them rather than worry about when and how they will occur. I figure if I can count on my Father in Heaven now that he'll still be there when life comes at me hard, so I'll continue to develop my relationship with him, to strengthen my faith and to press forward. Despite my tendency to over analyze (yes, I know it and can freely admit), I have actually learned that there are aspects of my life that I have more control over than I ever wanted to admit in the past. While they may not include the challenges life has in store for me, they do include the way I respond to these situations. I'm a work in progress, probably always will be, but it's nice when I can actually see the "progress" part. If you have a minute, browse through Stephanie's blog and count your blessings today.

3 comments:

Deirdre Eagar said...

Um...thanks for the good cry.

Becky said...

I loved a lot about this post...thanks for being so open and expressive and "you" on your blog--love it!

Jaime said...

Ok - lately, I can't read your blog without crying. I don't know if it is the hormones or what, but reading about little Camille just crushed me. Trust me, I am sooo counting my blessings these days, what with operation, "Stay Pregnant" in full swing.