Journals
Journals - February 6, 2023
Don’t take it for granted. Don’t wish it away.
Hold them tight even when it’s hard.
It’s not always picturesque, but still – take a picture.
Don’t take it for granted. Don’t wish it away.
In the stillness of the morning, when your home is spinning fast,
when you have reheated your coffee for the fourth time,
when you are five diapers in with three outfit changes,
Don’t take it for granted. Don’t wish it away.
When naps are being boycotted,
when food covers the floor,
when shrieks and screams can’t be silenced
when car rides and doctors appointments push you to the edge,
Don’t take it for granted. Don’t wish it away.
to sitting in the front seat and seeing my child in the back,
hearing his cries from the other room,
holding him close when he can’t sleep,
I won’t take it for granted. I won’t wish it away.
For months, he lay in an empty room, an empty crib instead of my womb.
And every evening, we said goodbye,
and I just would just sit at home alone in my bed and cry.
Arms empty and heartbroken.
So don’t take it for granted. Don’t wish it away.
For weeks, he was untouchable.
I couldn’t hold him in my arms.
so sick and tiny, so close to death.
There were days when I would just sit in his empty nursery,
hoping that one day he would dwell here.
So don’t take it for granted. Don’t wish it away.
When your child is sick, hold them close and love them hard.
But also remember the mothers and fathers who can’t do that.
See a blessing in the darkness that your child is there.
Because for so many others, they aren’t.
When they climb on the table or spill all of their milk,
see a blessing in the chaos.
When they crawl into trouble; when they try to run away,
see a blessing in movement.
Don’t take it for granted. Don’t wish it away.
There are so many others who long for your messy, chaotic, tear-filled day.