Skip to main content

Room for Grief & Joy!

Thank you Ruth for inspiring me to always look for the celebrations in life! 
Join us and share your celebrations!


This week has been filled with much celebration. Leading up to another day of celebration, Mother's Day. I have been blessed with so much in my life! My job brings me joy and allows me the privilege to educate amazing young minds! Friends who know me, really know me, and love me anyway! A church where I really understand the words, "Church Family"! My beautiful puppy who snuggles with me and takes me on long walks! 

 And even with all of those blessings, Mother's Day is a hard day for me. I felt like I was born to be a mother. I love kids! I want to be a mom...but I'm not. I'm 43. Single. Not a mom. That's my reality. It has taken lots of tears and lots of prayers to find peace with my life. My faith reminds me that God has a plan for me and even though I don't know what it is, I work on believing that every single day.

This week was so busy at work, but I took some time to sit and write to my Pastor about my struggle with all of this. His words brought me so much comfort. He reminded me that in celebration, there's room for grief and tears, as well as joy and laughter. He heard my pain. He listened. That's all I wanted. On Sunday, celebrate mother's day! I will be celebrating with friends! Celebrate all of the wonderful moms that you know! Celebrate loud and joyously!! If I may ask, take a quiet moment and remember those who grieve. There's room for both. 

 I celebrate the amazing people who read my blog and support and love me! It's because of you, that I have the strength to write about this today. 
Labels:

Comments

  1. Margaret SimonMay 9, 2015 at 9:45 AM

    Even mothers can have a hard time with Mother's Day. So full of expectation. Ugh! I am kind of down about it. Your ability to celebrate in the midst of disappointment inspires me.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Holly MuellerMay 9, 2015 at 10:46 AM

    Room for grief and joy - what a beautiful sentiment! How wonderful that you have a pastor who will sit, listen, and offer wise words. I think it's great that you will be celebrating Mother's Day with friends! Remember you are a mother to all those students who love you. Some of them need your mothering immensely, and you can give them your all.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Terje May 9, 2015 at 11:56 AM

    Someone once told me that not having children does not lessen the love you can give to the world. I admire you for your daring to show vulnerability and being authentic. Hugs.

    ReplyDelete
  4. CrystalMay 9, 2015 at 12:11 PM

    For many reasons Mother's Day can be a painful time for people and not everyone realizes that. Thank you for sharing your story and reminding us that the day is not the same for all - that there is time to celebrate, but also time to remember those grieving. I'm so glad you are part of a wonderful church family and it sounds like you have a wise pastor too.

    ReplyDelete
  5. drferreriblogspot.comMay 9, 2015 at 3:36 PM

    Room for grief and joy - that just about sums it up. Those of us who were lucky enough to become moms - and trust me I know it is a miracle on many levels can still find this a hard holiday. We feel for those who are not and want to be - and we hope for more than the Hallmark infused day can ever offer. I hope you celebrate the day for what it is deep down at it's core: a wonderful spring day to celebrate the miracle of life - that YOU nurture and foster each and every day of the year.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Lisa KeelerMay 10, 2015 at 6:18 AM

    Thank you for sharing such an honest piece. Your pastor is right about grief and celebration and joy and making room for it all. I am thinking about you and others who struggle with today. I hope you have a good day with friends.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Carol VarsalonaMay 10, 2015 at 8:22 AM

    Michelle, in your sorrow there is joy so thank you for always wearing your heart on your sleeve. Your words courageously hit the page. Please remember that your students look up to you as their motherly guide each day who nurtures and cares for them. Enjoy your time with friends as you celebrate on Mother's Day.

    ReplyDelete
  8. TaraMay 10, 2015 at 12:38 PM

    I feel your sorrow, Michelle, and am humbled (as always) by the honesty with which you live and write.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Robin LeeMay 11, 2015 at 11:23 AM

    Great title. The journey to get comfortable in our own skin is not for the faint of heart.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Please share your thoughts. I love comments!

Popular posts from this blog

Whatever Happened To...

Sharing this post on Two Writing Teachers Slice of Life Do you ever wonder whatever happened to your students after the year you spend together? I imagine how my students are finding life...are they happy? Successful? Do they still read? Write? What is going on with them?   I taught fifth grade for eight years. Fifth grade was such a fun year to teach because the students were still young enough that school was something they loved and old enough that they could show some real signs of independence. Fifth grade is the oldest grade in our elementary schools, so the students enjoyed their final year before moving onto middle school and the challenges that came with that new adventure.  2007 was a tough year for me personally. My dad collapsed in September of that year and then died in March of that same school year. He lived thousands of miles away, so my mind was definitely unfocused that year...but that year, Catie was in my class.  Catie was a quiet stude...
29 comments
Read more

Chasing My Dream

I'm doing it. I'm chasing my dream. I've always wanted to run writing retreats and workshops for people, but I've always been too scared to do anything about it...until now. I don't know what's changed...maybe I've changed. I'm not allowing the fear to stop me anymore. I've started Selah Writing Retreats.  The past couple of weeks I've been getting the business end in order. I thought I would hate that...I don't. It's scary, but I am surprising myself with how efficient I am. Yesterday I went to a bank to set up a bank account. The woman I met with was kind and helpful and so enthusiastic about my dream. My website is set up. I've done lots of work on it. I hope you stop by and let me know what you think. It's  selahwritingretreats.com . Balancing creative with business has been challenging but fun. Creating the website, getting a federal tax id, making business cards, planning dates... My favorite voxer group is called Butt Ki...
21 comments
Read more

I Love Me...All of Me

I'm fat. It's true. I'm not looking for comments like, "Oh you're not fat." I am. I want to take that word back. When we say that now, it has a negative connotation. I'm tired of that. I'm done. I'm fat. I'm working on loving my body just the way it is...by reading a book. I confess I'm reading the book on my Kindle app because I was embarrassed about the title. It's called, "Things No One Will Tell Fat Girls" and it's written by Jes Baker . Her mission is self-love...for all. I've highlighted so many lines, I can't possibly share them all, but here are some of my favorites: "Our bodies are our physical bookmarks that hold space for us in the world. Our bodies are magnificent houses for everything else that we are. Our bodies are a part of us, just as our kindness, talents, and passion are a part of us." (p.10)  "Your size is irrelevant to your ability to find fulfillment, purpose, love, a se...
21 comments
Read more