ICLW

Well, it's ICLW again. Didn't that just end a few days ago? It seems that time is flying by this year. In many ways, that is a good thing. By the same token, however, it would be nice to be able to slow down and enjoy life a bit more.

For new family and friends who aren't quite sure what ICLW is I'll repeat from a previous post. In a nutshell, ICLW is an optional monthly event in which every blogger is welcome to participate. However, anyone who checks the list of blogs for the month will note that many of the participants have experienced infertility and/or loss. While it is often hard to read their stories, even having walked a similar path, there are often great gems of courage, wisdom and inspiration so I would encourage dropping in on them. And while you're there, say hello. Even if you don't have a story like theirs, the whole concept of ICLW is to make the world a smaller place and let people know they do not walk alone.

I know there are many on the ICLW who wish they were in my shoes and spending time, no matter how small, with children of their own given that they are still on their journey toward parenthood. They think they have very little in common with me. The part that I don't blog about very often is my own IF/loss journey. I figure the angels on my side bar speak for themselves at this point. I spent too many days dwelling on the losses and now try to focus on the blessings. But I know that my blessings are hard for some to read. I pray that they are able to take some hope from my journey as they continue on their own.

I still am on that journey. The day you become a parent doesn't mean that the wishes and hopes and fears cease. Actually they multiple. Once you are presented with that warm, wiggly bundle called child you begin another branch of your journey where one can only pray to do what is right so that the child will grow up to be a decent, loving and kind human being. Divorce, illness, and peer pressure are just some of the potholes in the road. And yet, the journey is filled with blessings that we will miss if we are focused solely on the destination or the potholes.

I hope that each of you are able to enjoy each step of your journey and are able to find the positives life has to offer - even when you aren't getting what you want out of life. "My life is a gift. My life has a plan. My life has a purpose, in Heaven it began." We may not always know where we are headed, but Heavenly Father does and He will bless us along the way if we just press forward.

I hope this is a good week for you.