Brave Enough To Be Bliss

whether at a wedding, funeral, or any other day. And f or my comfort and because I can’t change anything now, I’m going to believe a high -end bridal store in downtown Kansas City would n’t have let me order a dress that was truly inappropriate for a mother of the bride. I have considered Facebook an online “baby book” or a life story book for Kylee to look back on in years to come. The messages I’ve posted about her document many important parts of her life journey, our adventures, and just everyday fun experiences we’ve had together. Even if the messages weren’t meaningful to her at the time, I believe one day they will be. The following are a few such posts.

Ginger Bliss Facebook Post September 7, 2020 After 24 years and 52 days, this once beautiful baby became a beautiful bride. After it was confirmed that I was pregnant I remember having a brief moment of panic when I got into my car realizing all the things that were out of my control with this tiny little human growing inside me. But I quickly pulled myself together and focused on trying to learn how to be the best mother I could be. Best advice I got was at my baby shower when Mom Sherri told me to enjoy every stage she was at, even the challenging ones, because she would soon move on to the next. While I did many things imperfectly, I did make a conscious effort to be truly present with her and soak up every moment of every day in every stage. I am grateful for the advice and the execution as I can truly

say I don’t wish for a moment to go back to at any point, not even the very best ones. On Saturday, the beautiful young woman pictured here felt as beautiful on the inside as she appears in this photo. That is what I strived to give her as a mother. I wanted her to feel as unconditionally loved as a human can provide. If I could give her that, I knew she would have the best chance to love herself in the same way and then she could one day invite someone else into her life to love her that way. And now there is Will to love, honor and cherish her. No matter what unfolds in your lifetime together, keep walking together hand in hand as you are pictured here. I wish you an enduring love and an unwavering appreciation of the gift of one another, even when and maybe even especially when the other least deserves it. I love you both! “Yes, my child, life will test you. Even after you make it through the storm, life will drop you to your knees. Because that’s what life does. It tests you. It teaches you. And the lessons are hard because wisdom demands adversity. So you learn not to hide from pain or run from battle. Instead, you face them. And you rise. Because you’ve discovered that the only way to conquer darkness is to walk bravely in the light.” @JN Fenwick

Ginger Bliss Facebook Post September 14, 2020 After Kylee’s wedding, I posted a few photos and wrote a message to her and Will because

those were the words that came to and from my heart that day. Now that some time has passed, I want to take a moment and celebrate the beauty of the relationship we’ve shared. Kylee has been beside me, sitting on my lap, carried on my hip, arms around my neck, holding my hand, laughing with me, dancing with me, hugging me, playing games with me, watching shows with me, eating with me, drinking with me, shopping with me, traveling

with me and most of all loving me all of her 24 years. There may have been a few times she didn’t like me as much, but I always knew she loved me. She came home from college when she didn’t have to, she lived with me when she didn’t have to, she went on tr ips with me when she didn’t have to, she spent evenings with me when she didn’t have to, she asks to get together now when she doesn’t have to (Will, thank you for being so accepting of your mother-in-law).

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