I woke up after a night of girl talk with two friends to the sound of my sweet baby girl calling for me. I got to change her diaper and smooth back her wild morning hair and make her breakfast. I got to help her put yogurt on her spoon and watch her learning to become even more independent.
I got to run around our house giggling as we got ready to exercise together at KangaZoom. I got to take her to Precious Cargo and watch her rock in the big girl chairs and test out the different tables and toys. I got to take her to lunch and see her taste bacon for the first time...and throw a bit of a tantrum since our service was slow.
I got to rock her to sleep for her nap, and take a lazy snooze of my own while she rested peacefully. I got to take her to a first birthday party for a "Rockin' Good Time" and watch her experience her first puppet show, her first balloon art, and her first taste of cake made to look like a pink glittering guitar (note to self: Brittni knows how to throw WAY cooler birthday parties than I do. LOL)
I got to make dinner at home for just us two and to play in her playroom and chase her around the house giggling. I got to draw her a bath in a preheated bathroom and laugh even harder as she ran around excitedly afterward (still naked) because the warm water had raised her endorphins. Then I got to read her a story, sing her a lullaby, say her prayers, and tuck her peacefully into bed.
Today I got to be a mother to a 14 1/2 month old angel.
Yet, I sat down tonight after all of this and started to stress. To worry about the things I didn't do, like organize my closet, get a "real" workout in, and start worrying myself once again about whether or not I can do all of the endurance challenges I've thrown out in front of myself.
Then I sat down to write a thank you note to a dear family for a generous donation to Ben and my fundraising campaigns. Writing it on the pink note cards I got specially designed with Sarah in mind. Cards that thank them for helping us to being SARAH STRONG. It reminded me to drop the stress and remember what is really important in my life, and to remember what I DID do today.
I have to wonder if people will ever understand just what being SARAH STRONG means to me? People that didn't know her and didn't get to understand her inner beauty and compelling faith. Her ability to let things slide off her back, but her humorous southern passion if you "fired her up!" The kind way she treated every single person she met. The fight she had in her on behalf of her husband, her daughter, and her life.
I just don't know that I can ever put it into words; that I'll never be able to truly express the way she inspires me and reminds me every day to try harder. Not to make excuses for skipping workouts or scheduling my life so that I have time for me, my husband, and my baby. LIFE comes first. Every single time.
I had a wonderful day today. I have my health, I have my hopes, and I have my dreams. But today I'm reminded that any day that can all be taken away from us and that we should actively seek to LIVE each day. To thank God for the day and to thrive in it.
Sarah did.
Sarah's Wedding Day
I love reading your posts! Your words just seem to come so easily and put words of inspiration in my mind! This was a great post and I hope you realize your words have helped those that you may not see! :) Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Kristen, you're so sweet!
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