I’m thankful for the pain

I never thought I’d say this, but…I’m thankful for the pain it took to become a mother.

I’m thankful for ten years of disappointment and heartbreak.
Thankful for the anxious moments wrestling with my biological clock.
Thankful for the mornings I sat in a fertility clinic, praying for good news.

Thankful:
for the shots, the pills, the creams, the suppositories.
for the foster child I nurtured for six months, but didn’t get to keep
for the babies I carried, but never got to hold.
for the custody battle that nearly broke me.

Because without every one of those hardships, the ones I would never have chosen, I wouldn’t have what I have now:

A beautiful family.
A beautiful mission.
A purpose that fuels me every single day.

Now, I get to spend my days lifting up future mothers, reminding them that their path is still possible.

I get to offer compassion because I’ve lived the pain.
I get to offer hope because I’ve walked through the struggle.
And I get to witness women turn heartbreak and doubt into new beginnings.

The pain brought me here.
And today, I’m grateful.

Over the next few days, I’ll be taking time off to slow down, be with the people I love, and count my many blessings.

I wish you a warm, peaceful, joy-filled holiday.

Happy Thanksgiving!

See you Monday.

#gratitude
#gratefulformymission