Mom on the Range |
There are some who refuse to welcome fear as a companion,
who share their stories, fighting through the risk, vulnerability, and
uncertainty. These storytellers bring
light, comfort, and inspiration to those of us quietly shouting, “Me too!”
If you ask her if she thinks she is brave, she will probably answer, "No." However, I attest that Cat Poland is one of these brave storytellers.
I am grateful to welcome Cat Poland here today for
Wednesday’s Woman. You can find her rich stories from fertile ground at Mom on the Range, like her on Facebook, and, of course, follow her on
Twitter.
Wednesday's Woman:
A Proverbs 31 Kind of
Friend
“Many women do noble
things, but you surpass them all.” Proverbs 31:29
“How are you doing?,” she asked when we first locked eyes in
the hospital room. Such a simple question. Four words. But most people really
don’t care what you have to say. If you say anything beyond, “fine,” they get
squeamish. But not Amy. She is always thoughtful, always genuinely concerned.
And despite her positive qualities, she’s the last person I wanted to see in
the hospital.
You see, it was her, not me, lying in the bed. She was
immediately concerned about me, the
visitor. “I was worried seeing me like this would bring back memories of your
own loss.” I was floored. Here she was, hours after delivering her stillborn
baby at 16 weeks, worried about my emotions. But that’s just how she is.
Completely selfless. I immediately began to cry, but not because my old
emotions of a pregnancy loss were refreshed. I wept tears for her. Her lost
baby. Her husband. Her son, the same age as my oldest daughter. She’d been
through so much. This was just so undeserved. And yet, she held her head up.
Sad, but not disheartened.
And to be honest, I’m not sure I could compose myself nearly
as well as she does given all the trials she’s been through. Losing a baby is
hard enough, but combine that with a child born with ocular albinism, a condition that requires
years of treatment, therapies, and adapted needs to cope with, and it’s too
much. Only, that’s not all. Before she even had children, before she laid down
her own needs to bring life into the world, she was diagnosed with thyroid
cancer.
Although she fought off this devastating disease, she is at constant risk
of a relapse, and must attend yearly checkups at M.D. Anderson in Houston to
ensure it’s still at bay. And what keeps it at bay? Medications, drugs that she
chose to stop taking when she decided to become a mother. Having children was
her dream. And happily, she now has two. Beautiful, laughing children she pours
herself into. Yes, staying at home with them full time exhausts her, and money
is often tight, but she clings to her dream. Clings to her children. She knows
what she sacrificed to bring them into this world, and she tried not to take
anything for granted.
Still, with all of these trials, she remains strong. And
loving. And thoughtful. Probably the most thoughtful person I know. I’m proud
to call her friend. I only hope someday I can be the friend she deserves,
because I certainly don’t deserve her. She is my guiding counsel, my shoulder
to cry on, my word of wisdom. She’s the one who asks, “How are you doing?,” and
I can answer honestly.
Wednesday's Woman is a weekly feature dedicated to spotlighting women who are role models for our daughters. . . and the world.
What a powerful post, it's inspiring and amazing how strong Amy sounds. Instead of all she's been through making her hard and angry, it sounds like she is continually open, loving and accepting. Awesome Wed Woman!
ReplyDeleteKimberly, thank you SO much for letting me share this story. And better yet, today is Amy's birthday. :-)
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. But it is I who thanks you. I'm grateful for you sharing this beautiful piece and inspiring us with Amy's story. Happy Birthday to her.
DeleteThis was beautiful. And an example of how true love and true peace can be found by focusing on others and not our pain or wants. I have not matured to that point. I pray that God continue to change my selfish heart a little bit more each day.
ReplyDeletebeautiful example of gratitude. thanks for sharing K-happy weekend to you.
ReplyDelete