Feb 10
15
Connection
Women’s health issues are often at the forefront of my mind. I feel fairly self-educated through my own study, through personal experience, and through hearing first-hand experiences of women in my life. As a mother, I have learned more and am fairly well-versed in topics such as prenatal care, breastfeeding, birth control, and baby wearing. I even carried on a competent conversation with a health professional last week regarding pediatric hemolysis (blood destroying its own cells). Still, through all this experience, seeing and hearing of people in my life suffering through health issues, especially the women in my life, bring feelings very close to the surface of my heart. These strong feelings are one reason I feel so passionately about this site to support women and mothers.
Recently, a close friend came over to help me prepare a card and meal for another dear friend who was suffering a tragedy. As I prepared the meal, I thought of other meals by similar hands wanting to alleviate the pain of a loved one. I thought of times when women in my life had experienced similar circumstances when I was too young and unaware to help care for their needs. I remembered my mother, and my husband’s mother, and my dear sister-in-law who had similar experiences to my friend. I knew there were women in their lives who came in their hours of need to bring relief to my mothers and sister. My heart was full of gratitude for these women who had helped the women in my life. I thought of the family of my friend. I thought of them–across the miles–praying for their sister & hoping someone would be their hands to deliver a meal, their arms to comfort through a hug, their mouths to warm with a smile. I felt connected to all these individuals in one small moment. I felt part of a chain, linked together apart from time and space, bound through love which transcends earthly power. These connections we make in this existence are worth the sacrifices of time and energy, of personal preference and self-satisfaction. They are what bless us with support and success, with new energy and life. So, tragedy eventually brings hope, and sorrow yields to joy. I feel greatly blessed to, even if in a very small way, be a part of this experience and live, even if just for moment, in this connection.
