Growing up (without internet and smartphones!) my mom always made us write thank you notes to friends and family for gifts or an act of kindness, no matter the occasion. Nowadays, it seems a handwritten thank you note is something of a dying art! It’s a shame too, because I know I’m not the only one who appreciates them.
November was a busy month of travel for us. My husband was out of town for work for almost a week, and then immediately after he returned, I traveled by plane across the country to visit my sister who I hadn’t seen in almost 2 years. After we returned from that flight, we all packed in the car and traveled by car 9 hours to PA for Thanksgiving. In hindsight, busy doesn’t even seem to be the right word for all that traveling madness… I’m glad I didn’t have to do all that traveling alone with two kids!
Before I had Nora, I traveled alone with Claire quite a bit. I mostly flew, and each time I got better at it. I used what I learned from traveling alone with 1 to hone in on what I would need traveling with two kids, and that became my starting point.
The other night I had dinner with the sweetest couple whose son was stillborn in August. Their desire to show compassion to others, their new outlook on life in spite of their grief, and their growing love for each other were inspiring. My heart was heavy, yet full. I cried when I stood in his nursery, complete but never used for its intended purpose.
They are living my nightmare, yet they are more than surviving. They are healing, at their exact right pace, and they are doing it with grace. I intended to bless them with a meal and friendship, and in their tragedy, they ministered to me. Grief is funny that way.
Hi there, I’m Caitlin: mama bear, joy-seeker, daughter of the King, and wife! I’m from upstate NY, but now we live in NC. In addition to being a stay at home mom, I’m an avid DIY crafter, volunteer, disciple, and village-builder. My mission here is to bring you some encouragement along the journey of motherhood through my faith, foibles, and failures as I bumble and stumble along the path of life as a woman, wife, and mom of little kids.