Thank you for this journey

Dear Genevieve,

A year ago to this moment my water broke and we were rushed off to the hospital. 14 hours later I was so fortunate to hold you with your Daddy. Holding you was amazing. Like your brother, you changed my life forever on this date. And through you, so many wonderful people entered and re-entered our lives.

I'm grateful for all the women who have told me about their experiences. All babies are miracles. All babies have souls and impact us beyond words. Babies make us know the world is ok, and there is always hope.

I'm grateful for the strength you've given me throughout the year. The hardest times were holidays and then re-entering all of Christopher's class settings without you. I'm grateful for them asking where you were, which was hard, but it meant they cared.

I'm grateful Christopher didn't lose his mommy a year ago. It was a hard 9-day hospital stay for all of us, but I'm so blessed to be here. Thank you for taking care of me in my darkest hours surrounded by ICU doctors trying to keep me here. I'm so grateful for their wisdom. I know you helped.

I heard these lyrics this weekend. I thought of the moment I held you and the experience you've given me this year on our journey:

"And at last I see the light
And it's like the sky is new
And it's warm and real and bright
And the world has somehow shifted
All at once, everything looks different
Now that I see you"

I feel this way even with you in a different place. You're always in my heart, you always bring me joy.

Love,
Mom