Concern, Comfort, in Confidence

My mom was home on hospice during the first trimester of my second pregnancy. It made me nervous and uneasy. I had no appetite, would forget to drink water and knew my stress was manifesting physically. 

I shared these concerns with a best friend. Both of us have been through each of our two pregnancies together - a really beautiful sequence that I cherish and am thankful for. I found comfort in her confidence and was reassured by her listening ear. 

Days later, she checked up on me via text with the most beautiful note:

"Car, I am not sure if this is comforting or not but thought I'd share - my mom went through similar experiences with her dad when she was pregnant in her first trimester with me. I always like to think the emotions she went through have made me a strong person and caused me to be very connected to my own emotions as well as naturally empathetic towards and caring of others. 

I also like to think I helped make my mom stronger during that time. These are qualities I am proud of and in a strange way I feel like I was there for my mom by being with her through it all.

Although I wish no pregnant woman should have to go through challenging emotional times while with child, it's something small that might help shift your worries off of stress on the baby and allow you to focus on being present in your emotions and knowing your baby will be okay. Love you."

Thank you, Elise. 

And we are so excited to meet you, baby.

- January 5, 2023 - 9:46am - sent by my beautiful friend Elise -