What is inspiring to you? Its funny, I just spent the past few hours cleaning out lots of OLD files from my pc. Moving things around, dragging TONS of stuff to the cute lil trash can in the corner, and renaming all sorts of stuff. Above all, I found myself reliving things...hard times when I'd rec'd or written letters...fun birthday or baby shower invitations...and even the journal I started keeping when I found out I was pregnant 10 years ago.
As I was moving/cleaning/deleting, I created a folder that I could only name "kris - inspire". And, I dragged a bunch of said letters into it...to remember...to not overlook those times in life...to inspire me.
And so, before I got up and went to get kiddos I thought I'd post a few excerpts...who knows, you might be inspired to do the same. Here's to an INSPIRING 2009...
A snipit from a journal entry I started after thinking thru the miracle of Braeden's diagnosis...and subsequent CHANGED diagnosis...thinking that I needed to get this DOWN so I could write an article about it (still might):
"As I type this, I’m in a very unlikely place. I’m sitting on
my bed in Orlando, FL while my sweet family is zonked out after a long, crazy,
crowded day at Disneyworld. As we were traipsing around with the rest of the
spring breakers, I had a thought; “No one has any idea what we have been going
through for the past few weeks. To them, we are just another one of the gaggles
of suburbanites fulfilling a young family’s rite of passage: the trek to
Disney.” If only they knew.
As I type this I am overcome with gratitude for a phone call
I got while on the beach last night. The phone call went something like this:
“Mrs. Murphy, ya know that thing we thought was a tumor in your son’s brain?
Well, turns out its just a cyst…no worries! Happy spring break!” (OK, I
summarized just a bit.)
Confused, well let me back up a few weeks to what we think
of as “the moment it all changed”. After going in to our pediatrician’s office
for a look-see at my daughter’s nasty ant bite (it was fine, by the way) I
remembered a little sensitive spot on my son’s chest and asked the ped to check
it out. He got a little too “serious looking” and told me if it wasn’t gone in
a week, we’d be back for blood test. A week later my phone rang to check on it;
it was still there…we were off to get the blood test. A few days later and a
range of every emotion I am capable of (including on my knees begging the Lord
for mercy) – we were awaiting the results of an MRI of our firstborn’s brain..."
Well, we went on to yearly MRIs after that and didnt have to go into a drug therapy bc of the downgraded diagnosis. One year later during the reading the MRI results I rec'd a calling DIRECTLY from the baffled Endocrinologist telling me "IT'S GONE. There is NOTHING there." God is good. It seems to trivial to try to explain, but for me...I needed to read that reminder today...where we were THEN...where we are NOW. I pray this year is one that REMINDS me NOT TO FORGET...ever.
OH MY...this was fun and a bit sad one for me. This is part of a letter than I wrote to my best friend's son. She died of cancer 10 years ago. She was a LIGHT it the brightest way possible. Remember THIS, if you know a kiddo who lost a parent, write a note like this...as one of those 'kiddos' I CHERISH beyond WORDS when people share memories of my dad. I have run out of new memories...I love when others share them w/me.
"Ya know, I lost my dad when I was 15. It
still hurts; there will always be a hole where he belongs. I STILL relish
memories others share with me. Its as though the memories I have get old and
tired…I get sad because there is nothing new that I remember. And then, when
someone shares something with me about him – I feel like I’ve received a gift.
I want to give you a few gifts. These are the things I learned from you mom –
gifts I cherish and keep in my heart and pull out when I want to think about
her and talk to God about her. I don’t know if it will mean anything to you,
but I want you to know her…I want to give you a little snapshot of the Kim I
knew."
And this...it was my grandparents last anniversary together. I sent this to the local paper and they came out and did a story on my grandparents. I still remember that afternoon, bc I was the one who got to be there when they came out and interviewed and photographed them. What a privlege...I miss them, still. They are still my ultimate role models in marriage, surviving pain, and never giving up.
It all started in Oklahoma in 1934, when 15-year-old Helen
Maxine Wood met and secretly married 18-year-old Lawrence Roy Wood. Their
parents found out and made it clear they thought it would never last!
This year, on January 27th,
the Woods will celebrate their 67th wedding anniversary. Throughout
their lifetime together they have raised four children (three are still
living), watched their 9 grandchildren grow into adults, and enjoyed 12 great
grandchildren. Although, their family now stretches from coast to coast, they
have lived in Highland Village, Texas since 1968. The Woods have created a
loving example of endurance in hard times, dedication to their marriage no
matter the circumstance, and most of all, an unending commitment to each other.
On this special occasion, their family would like to say “congratulations” for
letting us be a part of such perfect love and infinite devotion. You are a
wonderful example to us all.
I never want to forget all that they showed us by example.
Well, this is getting a little long...I'll close with one final entry from my journal when I found out I was prego w/Braeden. Its GOOD for us to remember the fullness of blessing when we start a new year. Be inspired. We all have blessings to be grateful. I am going to stop now and thank Him for those...happy new year blog-land.
"I don’t know what it must be like in
there, but I’m guessing its pretty comforting. I hope I can comfort you just as much from the outside when
you get here. Its hard to believe
I can love you this much even before we’ve met. Ya know, I’m sure all mothers have special relationships
with all of their kids, but I know we will have such a special bond. You are my (our) little miracle. You are my blessing from God…almost
like my little light of Him here on earth reminding me that even in hard times,
I’m loved THIS much. I think
having you will teach me so much more about how He loves me. I can’t wait to share all that I am and
all that I’ve learned with you. "
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