#28DaysofAwareness February 3rd

As part of my awareness campaign here on the blog for #28DaysofAwareness, I try to share as much as I can in a candid and honest way just how challenging and how rewarding being Gelli’s momma really is.

Even through the challenging times of raising ALL of my children, there is one ITEM that is characteristic of my journey as their momma.

FAITH.

I type FAITH, and I hear the late George Michael. I type FAITH and I think of my relationship with God, the Holy Spirit, and Jesus.

I type FAITH and know that LOVE goes hand in hand with this current that runs strong in the river of my role as a mother.

I wrote about FAITH when my friend Janice asked me to contribute to one of her publications a few years ago. I entitled that piece “Spirituality in my Motherhood.” I was in a good place when I wrote it, and admittedly, as I am writing this post now for all of you, I realize that it’s the perfect time for me to revisit.

How has Gelli improved upon my faith as an individual?

According to Merriam Webster, faith can involve duty, allegiance, fidelity, and belief in a person, and of course God.

I have the firm believe that Gelli chose me to be her momma. She also chose Nino as her Dad.  She knew that coming to our family would not only give her the opportunity to grow and learn and serve her purpose, but that her life would give meaning and purpose to mine as well.

Nino and I are reading this book with the kids right now. It’s about finding your purpose. We were gifted this book from a new friend, and I realize that this book is a gift to strengthen our faith as a family, as well each of us as individuals.

Even this new found friend is a gift in restoring in faith and love because he has shared his story so openly with Nino as he manages the challenges of his life with the help of his friend.

But if I reflect (which the month of February always has me doing…) and count my blessings as Gelli’s momma, I realize that Gelli restores my faith in BIG and SMALL ways.

It’s in her laughter.

Her ability to love unconditionally.

Her overcoming the challenges that her extra chromosome can sometimes give her.

Her uncanny way of knowing when something is terribly wrong. 

She shows up during these moments of pain or anger and is the reminder that “Life is indeed too short.” That we should count our blessings and continue on the path that God has put us on because we are here to serve Him, and our higher purpose.

Just like she did yesterday.

Please forgive my long way around to sharing this simple story from yesterday afternoon.

Nino and I returned home after a few days away from the house. He has been having some health issues that require a complete change of diet, and overhaul in lifestyle and healthier choices, all of which serve as a wake up call to both of us.

Reminding us once again, that “Life is too short,” and that we have to make the best of what we are given. 

When we came back home, Gelli’s first words to her Dad were, “Dad! You are home! You’re not sick anymore?”

“You’re all better?”she asked.

Nino explained, he was all better, he would be home from now on, and that he was so happy to see her.

What she did next was not only humbling, but restorative.

She began singing Hallelujah. 

Nino and I were trying to figure out what would prompt our five year old to break out in a song that is not in her usual repertoire.

Keep in mind that Gelli’s usual choice of music involves bootie shaking, head bopping, fast beats. So, you can imagine how this new choice of genre in music caused me to pause.

And then we remembered that we recently took the family to watch SING.

Thank you Gelli. 

Thank you for reminding me how healing music is for the heart. And for the soul.

Gelli’s personal concert caused Nino and I to look for another rendition where Tori Kelly (the voice behind Meenah in the movie) covered the song with Jennifer Hudson. 

 

I think I like both of these versions equally.

They make my heart happy.