Amazing Women in my Life Part 1

I've decided to start this series so I'm going to begin with a disclaimer: this is in no particular order of amazingness or impact on my life. The series may be scattered throughout time and punctuated by many other posts. Please know that I do not mean to diminish your influence in my life if I have not yet blogged about you. Whew, ok.


I've been in awe this entire summer of two beautiful women in my life. Both have handled pregnancies and childbirth at the age of 23. Both gave birth naturally, bringing their babies into a world where pain was not regulated by drugs but by their own personal strength and relationships. I have eagerly read Annie's blogs, following her adaptation to motherhood and admired her honesty and completely pure adoration of Ellie. With every line she writes and picture she posts I can see her love for her daughter and marvel at the impact I know it is already having on Ellie. I look forward to seeing Ellie's development in such a beautiful, nuturing environment. Joy just brought little Jude into the world just several weeks ago. Talking to her on the phone she sounded as energetic as always and gushed about how wonderful Jude is. I realized how long it had been since I've seen her and how much I miss her.



I am amazed at the transformations I have seen take place in Joy and Annie. Further amazed by the fact that they are still the women I have always known. Yes, motherhood is a life and personally altering experience. Yet through this, their cores remain the same. I do not feel ostricized because they have new roles and responsibilities that I do not have. They have made me feel amazingly included in their experiences, made me a part of their motherhood. Thinking of their roles as moms literally brings tears to my eyes- I feel so proud and honored to watch them grow in their experiences. The two products of their motherhood (Elianna and Jude) clearly display their quick learning and adaptation to their new lifestyles.

I have recieved so much joy in my life just simply watching them in and hearing about their new roles. It completely blesses me in ways I dont even understand. But I do know I can't look at a single picture of them these days without the hugest smile covering my face. They're just plain great at the things they do, making them pretty amazing women.

Transitioning

In the span of just a few days I went from gorgeous Lake Chelan with its relaxed pace of life and endless fun to Oakland. During the summer I felt thoroughly cleansed every time I slipped into the cool waters of Lake Chelan. It was refreshing, renewing. A sort of baptism every day that helped me shed all the stresses and anxieties of life and enjoy the beauty of nature. The small town was fun, and helped me integrate into a social circle in just a matter of months. It was a community. And to top it off I was living with my best friend.

Now don't be fooled, I chose to go to school in Oakland. I could have tried to stay in Tacoma or apply to a school in Oregon. But I wanted a different experience and believed the diversity of the bay area would give me that different experience.

However, the transition from small resort town to Oakland was rough. I was moving into homelessness, crashing with gracious cousins who offered me their home. And the humanity seemed to press in on me from all sides. I couldn't feel the spaces between me and the surrounding landscape, just bodies moving and pulsing all around. To finish it off it was oppressively hot, with no lake to cool my sticky skin. The first few days I heavily questioned my decision.

Then Saturday arrived. The sky was filled with sweet clouds that finally gave relief from the heat. And I visited two houses I instantly felt comfortable and excited about it. With my housing positively in motion the weather cooling and increased conversations and planned visits with friends in the area I gained a little space to breathe, comfort. And that space has increased every day creating room. In this transition I am learning patience and that sometimes time is necessary to smooth out the wrinkles in life. I know I am pushing myself into new and sometimes difficult situations that in the end will only contribute to my development as a complete person. And that's a great feeling.

*A big thank you to the family for prayers and thoughts. They always come at the perfect moment.