Week-end Inspiration
I have a few minutes without kids in my office so I thought I would write just a little about this past week-end......Approximately 10,000 women (very few men) gathered in this convention center to receive inspiration, sing, and just love on each other if need be. It's always uplifting and even though I have heard each speaker before (except for one), there is always something to walk away with and ponder.
One of the speakers was Sarah Jakes (TD Jakes daughter) - she was AMAZING. This 24 year old girl (mother of two) has so much insight and was so REAL that I had tears in my eyes the whole time she spoke. She talked about being 13 and being pregnant.....she talked about getting married to the wrong person trying to create this perfect life and how many masks she wore, knowing deep down, she was not doing well. There were many instances that she found herself in trying to control her destiny, trying to control this perfect environment she so wanted to create and keep....but it was all unraveling. How many times, people would ask her, 'HOW ARE YOU?" and her response was 'I'M OKay".....Masks we wear....I know we have to at times but wouldn't it be great if we didn't have to? Wouldn't it be great if we could just be ourselves as we are here with our sisters? She has written a book - Lost & Found.
Another speaker talked about how laughter is so important. She has lost a child so she is not oblivious to heartache and loss and yet she chooses to find humor in every situation. That's a goal....wonder if I can laugh as I'm throwing that dart...lol There was a 20 minute inspirational workout with this instructor telling us how beautiful we are, encouraging us to take care of ourselves, telling us God loves us.....that's the most I have moved my arms in a long time.....oops I'm laughing @ that!!!
How adopting 2 children changed this mom's life and she experienced "real love". How she related this adoption to how we are adopted by God and how amazing she feels. How her daughter @ an adult age wanted to find her biological parents and how this adoptive mom said okay because she knew it would be good for her daughter - but oh how her heart ached, afraid she would lose this girl she raised from an infant.....FEAR - powerful isn't it? It controls us if we let it....another thing to think about..... Her daughter did meet her biological parents and so did this adoptive mom and of course, this daughter did not abandon her adoptive mom but for a moment, FEAR had gripped her heart.....I could relate, as Jennifer was adopted @ 3 days old and found her biological mother when she was 25 and oh how I was so afraid I would lose her.....this mom sharing her story touched my heart.....Jennifer was there with me - SIGH
Sheila Walsh talked about her clinical depression, falling apart and ending up in a Psych unit, not knowing which way to turn....what an inspiration she is and how real and honest she is.
Lastly, Sandy Patty was there - if you have never heard her sing, you are missing it. When she sings, it is truly an amazing experience. Well she sang - How Great Thou Art and It is Well with my soul....Those two songs were sang at my mom's funeral....I felt my mom right beside me....circling around me.....holding me......when those songs were being sung....I cried and cried but what an awesome feeling.....Thanks Mom - love and miss you so much...
Well, Sisters, just wanted to give you a brief summary. It is a great feeling knowing that whether it be loss, adoption, fear, masks, we are just women supporting each other, in whatever way we can. I so appreciate all of you - Thank you for loving me and my Jennifer.
One of the speakers was Sarah Jakes (TD Jakes daughter) - she was AMAZING. This 24 year old girl (mother of two) has so much insight and was so REAL that I had tears in my eyes the whole time she spoke. She talked about being 13 and being pregnant.....she talked about getting married to the wrong person trying to create this perfect life and how many masks she wore, knowing deep down, she was not doing well. There were many instances that she found herself in trying to control her destiny, trying to control this perfect environment she so wanted to create and keep....but it was all unraveling. How many times, people would ask her, 'HOW ARE YOU?" and her response was 'I'M OKay".....Masks we wear....I know we have to at times but wouldn't it be great if we didn't have to? Wouldn't it be great if we could just be ourselves as we are here with our sisters? She has written a book - Lost & Found.
Another speaker talked about how laughter is so important. She has lost a child so she is not oblivious to heartache and loss and yet she chooses to find humor in every situation. That's a goal....wonder if I can laugh as I'm throwing that dart...lol There was a 20 minute inspirational workout with this instructor telling us how beautiful we are, encouraging us to take care of ourselves, telling us God loves us.....that's the most I have moved my arms in a long time.....oops I'm laughing @ that!!!
How adopting 2 children changed this mom's life and she experienced "real love". How she related this adoption to how we are adopted by God and how amazing she feels. How her daughter @ an adult age wanted to find her biological parents and how this adoptive mom said okay because she knew it would be good for her daughter - but oh how her heart ached, afraid she would lose this girl she raised from an infant.....FEAR - powerful isn't it? It controls us if we let it....another thing to think about..... Her daughter did meet her biological parents and so did this adoptive mom and of course, this daughter did not abandon her adoptive mom but for a moment, FEAR had gripped her heart.....I could relate, as Jennifer was adopted @ 3 days old and found her biological mother when she was 25 and oh how I was so afraid I would lose her.....this mom sharing her story touched my heart.....Jennifer was there with me - SIGH
Sheila Walsh talked about her clinical depression, falling apart and ending up in a Psych unit, not knowing which way to turn....what an inspiration she is and how real and honest she is.
Lastly, Sandy Patty was there - if you have never heard her sing, you are missing it. When she sings, it is truly an amazing experience. Well she sang - How Great Thou Art and It is Well with my soul....Those two songs were sang at my mom's funeral....I felt my mom right beside me....circling around me.....holding me......when those songs were being sung....I cried and cried but what an awesome feeling.....Thanks Mom - love and miss you so much...
Well, Sisters, just wanted to give you a brief summary. It is a great feeling knowing that whether it be loss, adoption, fear, masks, we are just women supporting each other, in whatever way we can. I so appreciate all of you - Thank you for loving me and my Jennifer.
Replies
sounds like a fabulous event... I\'m so glad you were able to be there
Marylou
So glad you got to go to this awesome event, Vicki!
And, Yay that your Mom & Jennifer were both there with you!!
Hugs,
Donna
What a wonderful experience. I hope it helps you feel at peace.
Love and tight hugs, M
Thank you for sharing this amazing experience! Sounds so uplifting!
Warm hugs. xxx
Uplifting and positive!!! So glad you were able to attend and give us your insight. Hugs, Kathy
What a wonderful and uplifting journal!! Thanks, for sharing your experiances with us.
((((HUGS)))), Julia
Vicki, I am so glad you were able to experience these speakers and their stories both for you and for us. It sounds very uplifting. Also happy you felt the presence of your mom and Jennifer there.
Sending much love to you and Jennifer today and always, Leda
Just perfect and it feels as if it filled you to the brim. :) Each of these kinds of opportunities are so very healing as to know that one is not alone on this path is the gift of companioning.
Hoping your week is off to a good start and having our masks off and put away for periods of time such as this feels life affirming. I have a drawer for mine and like to keep it in there most days, yet I do know that the reality of it is that I do put it on at times when I am feeling most vulnerable. It\'s about me and just needing that \"cocoon\" type feeling even on my face. Crazy, huh, yet real, yet I\'m happiest with allowing the Full Monty out there. lol! No makeup, no mask, just that bare naked face of childhood.
I was thinking of you dear Vicki and am thrilled that you can attend these kinds of inspirational events and that you are so very kind to share what touches you. Thank YOU!
Much love to your darling Jennifer and her mom,
XO Joanie
What an awesome event-thank you for sharing this! People that have been through hell and back and still maintain the faith-despite it all-are those I find very helpful in this ever changing, and evolving -of -self life we live Love, Donna
It is good to be out with others of the same. Either SOTH or adopted moms who\'s child found the biological parent. I hope you feel full and restored.
Hugs Penny