As the first in a series of “Thankful” posts this month, and with a fun “Simplify and Savor the Season” podcast, my first thought is to share about something that, honestly, I didn’t know I’d be that thankful for.
Many of you know that the day after we took our eldest son to college, I found out that I was pregnant.
With our seventh. At age 46.
That was a tough day. It’s not a lack of loving children-I fiercely adore my own, and love the children I randomly meet/at church/in the neighborhood/anywhere as long as I don’t have to check their homework or make sure they brush. It was the difficulties that immediately crowded my mind. I’m embarrassed to admit the first was not the health of the baby, but how much weight I would gain. I’d just lost a good amount, had kept it off, and was finally feeling I no longer had to think about hormone imbalance or if the jeans fit. But on the heels of that vain thought was the reality of what we could expect at my age. Down’s Syndrome, chromosomal issues, trauma to my body-these were tangible concerns, and that was just the beginning. I also had six other children at home, my oldest with Asperger’s, and each one with their own thread of something. Then came the thoughts of late night feedings, diaper changing, car seat lugging, and the dreaded potty training.
Suddenly, life looked hard.
But then something amazing happened. Little Bryson was born. And with that incredible, overwhelming, joy-filled event, there went every, single, solitary concern. Seeing that beautiful, healthy 8 lb 15 oz baby, my heart opened wide and wrapped him up. Every day since then I thank my Heavenly Father for this incredible, sweet-tempered, unexpected gift.
I can’t explain all that his presence does for me and our family. At church, we look down the pew and see our children quietly vie to hold him, passing him from lap to lap after their appointed time. My sixteen-year-old burps him, right there with the cloth over his shoulder on his suit coat (which I realized, that he realized, makes him a chick magnet). Bryson’s sweet nature and calm demeanor has affected all of us. It’s lessened the loudness of our home, the bickering between siblings (though not completely eliminated), and improved the general caring for one another. As one of my children and I talked about it, we realized Bryson provided a gathering place, a tangible hub where everyone gathered daily. He is our new connector, and we all come to give him a squeeze, a kiss, or a coo, and thereby connect with each other as well.
For myself, I’m shocked that my worries all came to naught. And that, in thinking ahead to the realities of a baby, I didn’t add in the intangible gifts and blessings that come as a package deal, and that make the whole experience magical and normal at the same time.
So this month, I invite you to consider, and even share with us, an unexpected gift you have received in your life. And hopefully feel again the wonder of what you didn’t know could be.
Best,
Connie
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Oh Connie, what a beautiful post! You always inspire me. Thank you.
About 10 years ago I was very, very sick and Doctors could not figure out what was wrong with me. After 2 years of continuing to decline I was diagnosed with celiac disease also known as gluten intolerance. This means my body is actually damaged by wheat, rye, barley and oats. This means anything with these ingredients was cut from my diet…… not just bread and pasta but almost every convinience food. For about 2 weeks I cried, not knowing what to eat. But now I see the blessings of how we as a family are more aware of what we are eating. We eat more fruits and vegetables and less fat. As a whole my whole family is blessed becuase of my special diet needs.