Fall down 7 times get up 8

September 3, 2011

I headed out this morning for a nice long run to just think.  I love running!  Its  such a peaceful time to get out- nothing but you, the pavement, and whatever's on your mind.  The sun was shining, there was a slight breeze and I couldn't help but think of my favorite Japanese Proverb, "Fall down 7 times, get up 8!"  I've always loved this and try to live by this as well.  In life, we all face challenges, heartache, and difficult times that can be speed bumps in life's journey.  You can either allow these problems to define you or you can choose to be strengthened by these events.  But make no doubt about it, you DO have a choice.

Of course, I'm still thinking and referring to our recent miscarry.  But for all of you who have wondered, I am not BROKEN!  Yes, I am sad.  But this does not define WHO I am.  This is one of those speed bumps in life that I stumbled over.  True, it knocked me right on my ass.  But I didn't lay down in the middle of the street.  I got up. I dusted myself off and I'm moving forward.  I always say that "everything happens for a reason"  and there are times where I really hate hearing that, but I do believe it.  Everyone who comes into our lives was meant to come into our life for one reason or another; weather it be for a brief moment or a long time. Everything in life that happens to us really does happen for a reason.

I'm in such a better place now.  I am now a member of a ridiculously large group of women who have suffered from a miscarriage.  It's not the Club I ever thought I wanted to be in, but now that I'm here, I can honestly say I've grown so much from BEING here.  Since losing the baby was so public for us, there have been many women who have written to me to share their story.  Some where first pregnancies, some where multiple pregnancies, some had family to support them and other's did not but the ONE thing that was true about EVERY single one of these women was that they truly had an understanding of what I was going through.  They weren't writing to get the "inside scoop" or out of obligation, they were writing because they remembered what it was like to face those dark days.  Some even told me of how compelled they felt to reach out, so that I would know I wasn't alone.  These women came out of all areas of my life; old elementary school friends, high school friends,  college friends,  friends of friends, family members, strangers from an online support group, my friends parents, people I've met, and people I haven't.  It was so moving to have so many women share their stories and rally around to help me go through this process.  (And let me tell you, it IS a process!)  It really moved me, the level of empathy these women were able to share and to give.  It was the most touching experience of my life.  I just home some day that I am able to help someone in the same way so many were able to help me.