The long months of waiting were finally at an end… Pretty soon it would be just a memory. The year had been a difficult one, both physically and mentally; so many life-altering changes, with more on the way...literally. Still, there would be no more weight gain or swollen feet; in exchange for this relief, however, countless sleep-deprived nights waited up ahead…
A mere four hours after labor began, our sweet baby Grace made her debut into this world twenty years ago today…
It’s kind of funny to me, thinking back on it. Mom promised me long before my first child was born that I would, in time, forget the not-so-enjoyable aspects of the childbirth experience, including the pain of delivery and the recovery thereafter. I must confess when she shared her insight, I thought she was a bit crazy. Once I went through it, though, I was convinced of it, because there was no way I would ever be able to banish those memories from my mind. As it turns out, she was right. 1992 was a tough year; nevertheless, it ended far better than it started…two decades later, that’s all I really recall now…
I suppose that’s the real lesson behind her wise words: when a moment is one that brings tremendous joy into your life, the trials and tribulations leading up to it will eventually fade away…
Which leads me to believe the converse must also true… When the occasion delivers unparalleled sorrow, even the finest of details about it will stay with you always…
The true measure of how far we’ve come can best be gauged by considering where we’ve been. This was Grace’s fifth birthday without her brother, and the first in which she truly permitted us to be a part. Who could blame her for leaving us out these last few years? Like every child, she wanted a party filled with smiling, happy people, focused on her, the birthday girl, rather than enduring another evening with her grief-ridden parents as they faked their way through another special day...
We treated Grace to dinner out with her bestie; I’m not sure why she changed her mind about including us, but I’m glad she did. Either she’s adjusted, we have, or who knows? Perhaps we’ve found a patch of common ground. Maybe we’ve finally realized its okay to smile, eat cake and celebrate as best we can; doing so won’t diminish Brian’s absence…
It’s just as important to remember and enjoy those we love who are still around…
Two dozen empty Fun-fetti cupcake wrappers later, I can safely say that we have…
Wishing you many blessings and hope…tg
Tammy will update her blog twice weekly…
