Things I Can't Say

Tips and Tales from an Introverted Mom

Pour Your Heart Out: One Step at a Time

If you have never visited Pour Your Heart Out before, see THIS post for more information- but it’s personal- it’s what YOU think is pouring your heart out. Please grab the PYHO button or link back in your post if you are participating.
Again, just a brief reminder that everyone linking is pouring their hearts out and we should all be respectful in our comments. 😉

 

My boys are still on Spring Break: we are up to three pukers and one seat belt that had to be cut to release a child. So, today, my friend Ashley from Just Another Mom of 2 was kind enough to write a guest PYHO post. I used to say that she was one of my best blog friends… but now I just say that she’s one of my best friends. I know you’ll love this post from her: and yes, she talks about herself in third person occasionally, just like I have a tendency to do sometimes.

One step at a time.

Nervous excitement consumed her. She had decided a few weeks ago that she wanted a change, a new place to experience. So she picked one, made the arrangements and was ready to leave… until the night she went to her friend’s going away party and met him. Now here she was, in a coffee shop with At Last echoing in the speakers, explaining to her friend that yes, she might be crazy but it felt right. She would stay and see what happened.

One step at a time.

Shocked by the life-altering stick she held in front of her, she sank to the ground. Steeled against almost anything, this was the one thing she had not expected. Shaken to her very core, she burst into tears. She had plans, they had plans, this was not supposed to be what happened next. When the door opened, she looked up at him and sobbed once again. He sank down next to her, gathered her in his arms, and told her that he loved her. Confident and sure, he knew what to do next.

One step at a time.

Feeling alone and trying to be a new mom, she hated this place. She missed the warmth of the south, the familiarity of her house, the comfort of friends. She resented the place, despised the weather, and just wanted to go home. Months of frustration poured out of her as she once again found herself sobbing. He assured her they would make it through this.

One step at a time.

Filled with all-consuming fear, she gripped his hands as they waited for an update. Confined by needles and machines, strapped into place with monitors, they listened to their baby girl’s heartbeat thump along. Only 33 weeks along, the doctors were doing everything they could to avoid having to deliver this baby. Sheer terror like nothing she had never known filled her as she looked into his eyes. He told her to rest and they would get through this.

One step at a time.

She walked through the lobby doors, her heels clicking against the marble floor. A child on each hand, they checked their coats and greeted the host. With a smile, he led them to their table, overlooking resplendent mountains and streaming water. Settling the kids, the host turned as he saw the other man approach. He told him that he had a beautiful family and wished them a happy anniversary. To which the man replied “thank you and to many more”.

One step at a time.
 
 
If you are not already, please go follow Ashley at Another Mom of 2.

Comments

  1. This is a brilliant and moving piece of writing! Beautifully worded and so much depth in it.

  2. Just beautiful and I am sure the story of many women who had the unexpected become the very things they never knew they wanted

  5. What a fabulous post! So moving… it's like you are right there with "her".

  6. What a great post! I love the little snippets of time, so very powerful, sucked me right in.

  12. it read like poetry, I just loved it.
    And for all those things that don't happen "When" they should, well sometimes those are the best gifts.

  14. What a gorgeous post girl! You always amaze me with your writing skills! If I had a lighter I'd flick it on for you and wave it around lol.

  15. Hope your kids are feeling better soon. That must've been some seat belt tangle! Holy cow!

  17. This is such a beautiful way of expressing the ups and downs of life – really lovely. Thank you for sharing this with us.

  18. What a lovely post. Thank you. And I'm sorry to be PYOH about autism yet again. It just seems to be the thing in my life about which I have the most feelings I need to get off my chest. (And if that isn't a ridiculously convoluted sentence, I don't know what is.)

  20. Wow, I love how "One step at a time" is reiterated!

    PS I'm having a giveaway for a $50 Target GC, come enter, it's for a good cause!

  23. I held my breath while reading. What an emotional and touching post. Thank you for sharing.

  24. One step at a time is right! It's amazing, when we look back at the past, how high the highs and how low the lows.

  25. Absolutely beautiful! A lesson that I have been learning lately too … one step at a time!

  26. I am always so happy to come and visit. And now I have a new friend to meet! I do hope things are looking up for you Shell! Hang in there.

  27. What a fabulous story Ashley wrote. I love the way she put One Step at a Time between each paragraph.

    I hope things are looking up for you tomorrow. Spring Break is almost over!! (ours was last week)

    -The Drama Mama

  29. Oh Miss Ashley, So NOT sappy!
    But so very you.
    The sweet, the lovely, the kind and the beautiful … so many different words that make up the wonderful you. You had been such a sweetheart online, imagine my delight to discover you to be even sweeter IRL … til TypeA my dear, til then xxx
    (and your cute and fab roomie too!)

  33. Oh its like all these intense cliff hangers! I want to know the rest of the stories!

    And Shell I am so sorry :(. Whose seat belt had to be cut off??

  34. Great post. 🙂 I'd love to hear more about those stories though… You kinda left us hanging!

  39. Oh no Shell, I hope Spring Break improves but I swear your house always sounds just like mine.
    What a great, heartfelt post Ashley, love all that you shared.

  40. What an amazing writer Ashley is. This post stirs up so many emotions in me… the ups and downs of a relationship; the hardships that sometimes give way to beautiful memories.

    Absolutely love this.

  41. Thank you to everyone for your fabulous comments!! I am coming by to visit each of you so thank you all so much! And thank you to the lovely Shell for hosting me and my sappy post xoxo

  42. Oh, Ashley. This is just so beautiful and such a testament to your relationship.
    Swoon.

  45. Love this…I remember that sobbing and the empty feeling of hating where you are. Glad you wrote it.

  47. So beautifully written and a great way to honor your anniversary.

    Also, it brought tears to my eyes. Well done.