Brave Enough To Be Bliss

I am truly blessed to have a daughter who has been an absolute pleasure to raise, first my little girl, then my pal and now my very dear friend. She doesn’t act offended when people say she resembles me, even if she may find it annoying at times. She doesn’t act terribly embarrassed of me except when she tells me to look at something or someone with very little actual direction and then I look around lost trying to figure it out, but don’t have a clue what I’m supposed to be looking at (you probably have to see her mimicking me to actually find that funny, but she will). I have always been amazed that she seems to enjoy hanging out with her mom , but there is no greater compliment or gift she could give me. She’s hung out with me even when I didn’t want to hang out with myself. She’s been proud of me when I wanted to hide. Her mere presence, the sheer responsibility, and the overwhelming love that I have felt since she was born has given me the courage, strength, and determination to live this sometimes-difficult life. Being her mother has without a doubt been the greatest joy and privilege of my life. Only she knows what it sounds like to hear my heartbeat from the inside and only she knows the full extent of the joys and sorrows, the laughter and heartache, and the smiles and tears of the past 24 years we have spent together. We have shared so much, and I know the best is yet to come as I watch her continue to grow and become all she can be as a woman, wife and eventually a mother.

It was so much fun helping her plan and then experience a wedding day with only a hair mishap and a tiny flower fail, both pretty easily resolved...but through it all, we stay calm and let the little stuff go. One great thing about rough times in life is that it teaches you to know the difference between big stuff and little stuff. The beads on her veil got caught between the bricks pulling it off her head as she and Will were walking out after the ceremony, but she just kept walking, never missing a beat. And I was right there to pick it up for her and help her put it back on when she was ready. And that won’t stop, sweetie. You may be a married woman, but you’ll always be my baby and whenever you need your mom , I’ll be there. You, my dear girl, are truly every mother’s dream.

Every Mother's Dream -Martina Mc Bride (youtube.com)

“ Nothing splendid has ever been achieved except by those who dared believe that something inside them was superior to circumstance. ” Bruce Barton

Weddings and funerals can bring out the best and the worst in people, especially when relationships are strained on a regular basis. I was extremely grateful Kylee had a loving, blended group of family and friends there to support her on such a special occasion. Celebrations of life and

death are times to offer everyone even more grace and love, not the opposite. If there are hurt feelings, talk about them directly with that individual, not everyone else there. Allowing fear and our brain’s desire for control to run wild can wreak havoc on days when we all need each other’s care, not judgment.

Ginger Bliss Facebook Post September 20, 2020

It would be impossible to adequately thank each and every person who had a hand in making Kylee and Will's wedding day so very special. From those who traveled to attend, to those who couldn't but sent their best wishes. From family by blood to family by bond. Those who ran errands, wrapped gifts, helped set up or clean up. All those who sent messages, prayers and so much love. These photos certainly aren't inclusive of all who are to be included in my sincere thanks for making the trip to Hermann, but they did capture some of the special memories that we will cherish for years to come. So many of these photos show vivid examples that relationships may change through the years, but when there is sacrifice, commitment, understanding, grace and so much love, change doesn ’ t have to be an ending. It can simply be an opportunity to take the best from the past and build upon it new and beautiful things into the future. Kylee and Will are blessed to have you all in their lives!

“It’s not what we have in life, but who we have in our life that matters.” J.M. Lawrence

Resources ▪ Dr. John Delony (@johndelony) • Instagram photos and videos

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