Thankful

Tonight I enjoyed a delicious home cooked meal brought to me by a lovely friend from Thornton Elementary school and I was once again reminded of the unearned grace I have been gifted with over the past several months.

It reminded me of this bit from Operating Instructions: (yes, more Anne Lamott)

"I lay nursing my son and thinking about the Special Olympics. I am not sure why. I've gone to them for about five or six years in a row now. They're held in the spring at the College of Marin, and as I lay there nursing my son, I saw in my head all of the times over the years during the track-and-field events when runners have stopped halfway down the track, and just sat down in the dirt.

Sometimes they sit there completely frozen, staring at the sky, and sometimes they start to take their shoes or clothes of just because, I think, they don't know what else to do. Every single one of them has been assigned a volunteer, though. and that person steps out from the sidelines and goes to the runner and gets down on the ground with him or her and helps him or her put the shoes and clothes back on, and then takes the person by the hand and they start off again toward the finish line.

In all the years I've been going- I've never once seen someone not get over the finish line. Right now I feel very aware of all the volunteers God's given to me, because I tell you, I've ended up on my butt in the dirt a lot these past few months."

As Anne puts it, I'm feeling very aware of all my volunteers...

My loving and caring parents and in-laws who've traveled the miles to change diapers, wash dishes and ooooogle babies. By loving my daughters they have loved me as well.

I had everything I needed in the hospital and more. I even had one very cool person provide an actual tea party!

Learning from other moms who've come alongside and taught me that mothering is not an easy task. They have let me be grumpy and comforted my fears. They have smiled with my joys and understood my tears.

When I realized that my milk supply was incredibly low and breastfeeding became a challenging focus, someone beautiful found and bought me a hospital grade pump to help me build my milk supply. This is no small thing.

We have a darling and gorgeous neighbor who has come over to help and is always around to look out for us. A month ago when Matt and I both got deathly ill (it was miserable) she was our HERO and came over so we could sleep.

I have eaten countless amazing and delicious meals. (even one tonight!) It's pretty much the best. The girls tend to be a little fussy in the evenings so getting to eat without having to clean up or do dishes is worth about a million bucks right now.

Many dear friends have called and come over, providing company and extra hands when we needed them most. It's less isolating when people check in on us.

I only hope I can soon pay forward the wealth of love I've been given. And teach two girls to do the same.