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Mama In The Now

Boy Mom Life With Humor and Hygge

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Letter to the Mom Sitting Across From Me

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There are affiliate links in this article which means, at no additional cost to you, we could receive compensation for our recommendations.

Dear mom sitting across from me,

I know we have not officially met before, but I can comfortably say that I know you already rather well.

Our paths might never cross outside of these walls. We live different lives, even speak different languages – but here, none of that matters. Here, we speak the same language and have the same objectives. To us “ejection fraction, EKG, echo, cath, pressures, left ventricle, ace inhibitor, and beta blockers” are just some of our shared everyday words.

Letter to the mom sitting across from me. A heartfelt letter to a fellow medical mom. As we raise our special needs kids we will find a common bond like this in most waiting rooms.


We can carry on hour-long conversations about these terms, using them like professionals. We may not fully understand what they mean, but we know what they mean to us – we know how they affect our world. We hope to leave here today hearing “unchanged” or even “normal range” and “improved” – we are both hoping for the same results and answers. Our paths have crossed today and for a moment in time, our lives are interchangeable – almost identical.

You barely looked up when I sat down, your surroundings don’t matter right now – all that matters is your companion – your child – he is your world. I sit back and turn my focus to my companion, my child – because he is my world. Together, the two of us, two worried moms, sit…, holding our babies, clinging on to hope, miracles, and prayer.

The room is gray, drab, and sterile. This is not a place where you would expect to find spirituality, yet the presence of a Higher Power can be felt as soon as you enter the room. God, Jehovah, Allah – whatever you call him – his presence can be felt in every corner, on every cold metal chair, all over the room. Everyone in here is calling upon their Higher Power and the requests are all the same – even though the languages vary and the names are different – the message does not change: “Please be by our side, and let us hear good news”. No one in this room wants to go on this journey alone, but with their Higher Power at their side, they feel strength and courage.

Mom, I see your tired eyes. I know that sleep eluded you last night and perhaps even the night before. You look worn out, scared, sad, and deflated – but when your eyes turn to the bundle in your arms there is a glimmer of hope. I watch you looking down upon your baby, and I know your thoughts turn to his future, wondering what it holds. You quickly rein in your thoughts, look up and give me a cautious smile.

Letter to the mom sitting across from me. A heartfelt letter to a fellow medical mom. As we raise our special needs kids we will find a common bond like this in most waiting rooms.

I can tell that you made an extra effort to look nice today. Your clothes, hair, and makeup were all chosen with this potential life-altering day in mind. You are wearing some makeup, but not too much – in case there is a reason to cry uncontrollably. Your clothes match perfectly and look nice, yet they are comfortable – in case you will need to stay here for some time – days, perhaps even weeks. Your hair is nicely styled – yet it looks casual enough to be able to last a few days.

Your purse is really big. I bet that this is not your everyday purse. This is your “what if” or “just in case” bag. This is the one you have had packed like this for a while. Inside is an extra cell phone charger, a change of clothes for you and your child, and some cash. On the bottom in a corner is your old hair brush and the toothbrush your dentist gave you after your last dental exam. This is the bag that normally sits by your front door – ready to go into action if ever called upon. This is your “worst case scenario” bag. But if it is never used, if your baby outgrows the spare clothes before ever wearing it – then you are blessed – that will mean that “unchanged” and maybe even “normal range” and “improved” are part of your vocabulary now too.

Dear mom sitting across from me. I will add you to my prayer if you will add me to yours. Together we will sit here in silence and pray for our children’s health. We may only share shy and cautious smiles on the outside, but on the inside – in our hearts, we share this journey. I wish you nothing but “unchanged” and even “normal range” and “improved” – at this visit and all the others that are in your future. Thank you for making me feel less alone today – thank you for sharing your story just by smiling to me.

Sincerely,

Mom sitting across from you

Get to know me a little better. Don’t miss my other emotional posts written about our medically complex child.

“Be Where You Are”

“He Showed Me the Future”

Filed Under: Heart, Motherhood, Popular, Special Needs Tagged With: health, Heart, live in the now

Comments

  1. Dawn says

    April 5, 2014 at 12:36 AM

    Beautifully written – brought tears to my eyes. It takes the gift of writing to be able to articulate what so often goes unspoken. Thank you for writing such a poignant piece.

  2. ashley p says

    April 5, 2014 at 5:58 AM

    what a beautiful post….it had me teary

  3. Cyndi Henry says

    April 9, 2014 at 7:57 PM

    This touched my heart and emotions in such a deep place. Thank you for such beautiful blogging.

  4. Marissa says

    July 10, 2014 at 2:18 PM

    Your words are so true. This is a beautiful piece of writing that displays the relationships that form with strangers when your lives cross paths if only for a moment. I have experienced this when my son was born and in the NICU. Sometimes it only takes a smile to express your support for another.

    • Mama in the Now says

      July 10, 2014 at 2:26 PM

      Thank you, Marissa. It is really a special bond that happens. I still have friendships with people I met during those times – and all we shared at the time were smiles and looks. I hope your son is doing well now.

  5. Akaleistar says

    October 23, 2014 at 11:19 AM

    What a beautiful post! Hope you have a wonderful SITS Day 🙂

  6. balmtomysoul says

    October 23, 2014 at 11:58 AM

    Beautiful. Thank you for sharing. Gives us a little insight and challenges me to practice being more empathetic to those around me.

  7. bloominginbedlam says

    October 23, 2014 at 1:48 PM

    I don’t even have kids and I’m all kinds of misty over here. What lovely and heartfelt sentiments. Momma power! Happy Sits Day, Lovely!

    • Mama in the Now says

      October 23, 2014 at 10:27 PM

      Thank you! My job here is done! LOL

  8. Jean Lynd says

    October 23, 2014 at 9:52 PM

    This is beautiful & heart-wrenching. Thank you for sharing it. Over from SITS.

    • Mama in the Now says

      October 23, 2014 at 10:22 PM

      Thank you for visiting! It’s been a happy day.

  9. Misty B says

    December 31, 2014 at 1:49 PM

    What a beautiful yet heartbreaking post. As moms, we only want our kids to be healthy. I have sat in one of those waiting rooms many times, and am usually thankful that mine are healthier. I would love to sit and pray with each mom who has been there!

    • Mama in the Now says

      December 31, 2014 at 9:00 PM

      XO XO – It’s heartbreaking to watch another mother in the waiting room… words aren’t necessary.

I am a Danish American mom of four boys parenting with heart, humor and hygge. Join me on this crazy ride. You will laugh more than you’d expect!

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